THE Travel Corporation (TTC) is opening doors for South African travellers with an extensive line-up of small-group departures in Egypt across all its brands, virtual tours by Trafalgar, and early booking access for trips operating in 2023.
TTC expects its Egypt programme to be popular with South Africans as, currently, there are no quarantine requirements for SA passport holders upon arrival.
TTC South Africa md, Kelly Jackson, said Contiki had its first customer from South Africa booked to travel in June, with enquiries across all brands for travel from June onwards.
“Travel to Egypt is subject to a negative PCR test on arrival, plus a valid passport and visa. Plus, you need a negative PCR test to return home, which we assist our guests to obtain in Egypt,” Kelly said.
TTC has also added flexible booking conditions and enhanced hygiene and well-being protocols on its tours to put customers’ minds at rest. Agents could find tour dates and live rates on the TTC website, Kelly told Travel News.
“We are currently promoting any destination open to South Africans for travel now. Egypt and Zanzibar are two we can access as South Africans and airlines are operating there,” Kelly added.
“Trafalgar and Insight Vacations have already successfully operated Egypt trips. CostSaver, Luxury Gold and Contiki all have tours and, of course, Uniworld has its incredible river cruises, all of which have dates scheduled and available to book.”
For Egypt, a nine-day CostSaver ‘Footsteps and Pharaohs’ tour is priced from R30 600pps. Contiki’s ‘Egypt & The Nile’ itinerary operates year-round and is currently available from R21 900pps with a deposit of R999 to secure the booking.
Trafalgar has nine different trips in Egypt. “The Best of Egypt trip is one of our best sellers, and can also be turned into a private tour if travellers want to explore in their own bubble,” said Kelly.
Insight Vacations’ Wonders of Egypt itinerary is currently available for 2022 departures and for small-group departures next year. The tour is also on sale for departures in 2021 until October.
Kelly said Insight Vacations was also offering the option of private tours for groups of 12 adults or more. A minimal surcharge applies. Agents can find out more here: https://www.insightvacations.com/za/trip-styles/private-groups.
“We are not changing the way we package trips but we are offering more options for smaller group travel if anyone wishes to travel in their own bubble,” she explained. With departures scheduled and open for booking into 2023, Kelly said never before had so much product been available for sale so early. “Travellers can book for 2023 and have something to look forward to.
“We are definitely seeing an increase in enquiries and bookings for September 2021 onwards [and] our forward bookings for 2022 are looking very positive. Everyone is already thinking about the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023,” Kelly concluded.
