LOCALS planning to get
away for a quick break
over the Easter holidays
will have a tough time finding
affordable airfares and
accommodation, particularly
for travel to Cape Town, but
this doesn’t seem to be putting
them off.
Michelle Jolley, marketing
manager of Flight Centre, says
even although prices rise over
peak season in Cape Town,
there is still a significant
increase in demand for travel
to the city over this period.
“It is a popular destination
and as the rand is quite
volatile at the moment people
are opting for more local
travel options. It can be an
expensive holiday but remains
reasonable when compared
with destinations where the
rand is weaker.” Michelle
adds that Cape Town as a
destination remains a top
seller.
Amadea Sunney, product
manager domestic for Holiday
Tours, says flights make up
around 70% of the package
price and that the availability
and price of flights might play
a part in whether travellers fly
or drive.
A search for flights between
Johannesburg and Cape
Town for the long weekend,
during which the Two Oceans
marathon also takes place,
reveals that many flights are
already sold out and fares for
those that aren’t are between
R2 000 and R4 000 one way.
South African travellers are
still waiting for new airline
entrants to launch in the
market, bringing with them
cheaper fares. According
to the SA Civil Aviation
Authority, Skywise still has
many requirements it has not
met before an Air Operator
Certificate can be issued and
the airline can launch flights.
But ceo, Rodney James, says
he is hopeful that Skywise will
begin operating in the first half
of this year. “Competition will
certainly bring airfares down
by providing the much-needed
extra capacity and choice for
the flying consumer,” he adds.
FlySafair has yet to re-apply
for an air service licence and
refused to comment on its
progress in launching domestic
flights.
Room rates in Cape Town
have also increased over the
past few months.
Cape Town Tourism ceo,
Enver Duminy, told TNW there
had been a 4,7% increase in
the average room rate in 2013
compared with the previous
year. “This is below the
consumer price index, showing
that the industry is absorbing
the costs and understanding
the impact that changes in
price will have on the industry.”
Clifford Ross, ce of City
Lodge, says the economic
downturn and oversupply of
rooms in Cape Town resulted
in hotels discounting rates to
get business and stagnant
prices since the end of 2008.
“I don’t believe the rates
being charged are excessive
but hotels are starting to claw
back some rate lost during the
economic downturn.”
Cape Town is an expensive
destination for South Africans,
particularly when compared
with all-inclusive holiday
packages to Mauritius. “In
Mauritius one would spend
most, if not all, of your time
at the resort, eliminating
additional travel costs such
as car rental, taxis and
sightseeing costs,” says
Tammy Hunt, operations
director of eTravel.
Jonathan Gerber, director
of TAG, agrees: “There are
not a lot of all-inclusive-type
deals in Cape Town and, once
you’ve worked out what you
need to spend on a family, it
is substantial. We could sell
Mauritius a whole lot cheaper
than Cape Town but then
again, they are two completely
different destinations.”
He believes Cape Town is
catering more towards the
overseas tourist. “We as
locals need to travel during
winter and when specials
are in full force.” Michelle
agrees, saying savvy travellers
should take advantage of offseason
specials that are very
affordable.
Those wanting to visit Cape
Town during the holidays
need to book way in advance,
advises Wally Gaynor, ceo
of Club Travel. “The closer
you get to the time of travel,
the less choice there is
and the more expensive it
becomes.”
