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COMMUNIQUE' - SEPTEMBER 2008 EDITION
In This Issue:
and more...
SA Travellers Snub Internet And Return To Agents
THE economic crunch has not stopped South Africans from travelling internationally and, even better, more consumers are using travel agents to book their trips abroad, while many of those that have gone direct to airlines or the internet are returning to travel agencies. This is according to the results of the latest MasterCard Worldwide Consumer Lifestyles survey, which reported that 73 percent of South Africans surveyed plan to travel out the country by air over the next 12 months for holiday or business purposes. This is up from 70 percent in last year’s survey and almost double the 42 percent of respondents who said they planned to travel internationally two years ago. There has also been a marked increase in the number of respondents saying they plan to book their tickets through a travel agency and a corresponding decrease in the number who plan to book directly with an airline or online. And, according to the survey, half of those who plan to travel abroad over the coming year said they intend to spend more than they did the last time they travelled, while about 60 percent of those travelling for business said they will spend between 26 and 100 percent more. The survey did not indicate whether these respondents planned to spend more because the cost of travelling internationally has risen sharply, but it did point out that South Africans are increasingly using their credit and debit cards to pay for holiday expenses. Commenting on the survey, IATA Chief Executive, Robyn Christie, said the results boded well for the continued profitability of the South African outbound travel market. Europe remains the most popular destination for South African travellers, with just over half of respondents saying they planned to visit a European country over the next year.
Nationwide Takeover Deal Toppled
THE standoff between Nationwide Airlines owner Vernon Bricknell and potential buyer Blackbird Aerospace has ended with Blackbird withdrawing its takeover offer for the collapsed carrier. Takeover negotiations hit a deadlock two weeks ago when Blackbird backtracked on its initial promise to honour unflown Nationwide tickets by issuing passengers with vouchers to use within a year of the airline re-launching. Blackbird wanted to revise this undertaking to make the vouchers valid for only six months, but Mr Bricknell would not accept the change and his attorney insisted the Durban-based company provide a bank guarantee to underwrite the value of the unused tickets, which is said to total R71-million. Blackbird refused to provide the guarantee and subsequently withdrew its offer. Hannes Muller of Tshwane Trust, Nationwide’s provisional liquidators, confirmed the deal had fallen through but said it was till too early to say whether the airline would now go into full liquidation – a process which is likely to result in ticket holders waiting months to be refunded, if at all. Mr Muller said Tshwane Trust had not closed the door to the negotiating room and was “still considering offers”, adding that more details would be available sometime this week.
OR Tambo’s New Terminal Building Opens
AIRPORTS Company South Africa (ACSA) opened the first phase of its R2,3b Central Terminal Building (CTB) at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning, September 3rd. International passengers arriving at OR Tambo will now be processed through the airport’s new international arrivals facility at the CTB, which includes a more user-friendly customs control experience. Once processed, passengers are received into a new international arrivals public concourse that is two and a half times larger than OR Tambo’s previous international arrivals halls. The 18000-square metre space already features some retail facilities, including a post office, cellular phone shops and foreign exchange services, with the official opening of the CTB’s retail facility opening next month, which will link directly to the current domestic retail level. Various eateries are expected to open by December.
New Kings Hotel To Open In Cape Town
CONSTRUCTION of the New Kings Hotel in Cape Town is well underway with the opening set for December. The property is positioned on the Atlantic Seaboard, offering views of Lions Head, Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are within walking distance of the hotel and the V&A Waterfront is a short drive away. The property comprises of 42 rooms, consisting of Standard, Deluxe and King Suites. The rooms contain state-of-the art technology such as 42-inch LCD televisions, Wi-Fi connectivity and iPod docking stations. Offices, a private bedroom and conference facilities, able to accommodate up to 100 guests, are also featured at the hotel as well as a kosher kitchen and secure basement parking. In the piazza, guests will find various coffee and health food shops as well as a wellness spa, a hairdresser, clothing stores, an art gallery and postal services.
Robben Island Loses Ferry
THE Robben Island Museum Council (RIMC) has released a statement after the attachment of its new ferry this week by FarOcean. FarOcean has attached the ferry, delivered in February this year, as a result of money owed by RIMC. However, the council is citing “significant defects of the vessel” as the reason why the outstanding amount has not yet been forwarded to FarOcean. Dr Carl Niehaus, deputy chairman RIM Council, has called the move by FarOcean “excessive and unnecessary” and commented that despite numerous attempts to meet with the company to settle the dispute, FarOcean has not responded. “As far as RIM is concerned it is state property and should not have been attached.” The council has said that the attachment of the ferry will not affect operations to the island and alternative arrangements have been made.
Local Airlines Results Reflect Tough Environment
THE “tough” aviation environment has taken its toll on local airlines, with 1time and Comair both releasing lower than expected results. 1time reports that its earnings and headline earnings will be a loss of between R5m and R7m for the six-month period ending June 30. The expected net loss, says 1time, should be viewed in context of “the most difficult trading period in global aviation history”. It attributes the loss to the 91% increase in average rand jet fuel prices, increasing fuel costs by R140m. The loss is despite the airline’s 54% increase in passenger revenue and 28% passenger growth “achieved in a stagnant market”. Comair reports in its results for the year ended June 30, 2008, that earnings per share are expected to be between 30% and 40% lower than the previous period. The company, it says, has “experienced conditions affecting the global airline industry”. 1time says it expects positive prospects over the next six months. “We expect to continue to grow our market share, revenues and yields in the seasonally stronger second half of the year. Should crude oil and the rand dollar exchange rate remain at current levels, the group is confident it can achieve profits for the full year”. The price of oil has stabilised over the past few weeks and is now set at around US$114.
Cruising In Luxury Italian Style
CRUISING THE MEDITERANEAN ONBOARD COSTA SERENA
Cruise departure date: 21 April 2009
Ports of call:
Embark & disembark Savona – Italy, Naples – Italy, Valetta – Malta, Corfu – Greece, Dubrovnik - Croatia
Price: 5 Nights from R4875 per person sharing
CRUISING THE CARRIBEAN ONBOARD COSTA FORTUNA
Cruise departure date: 4 January 2009
Ports of call:
Embark & disembark Fort Lauderdale – Florida, Key West – Florida, Grand Cayman – Cayman Islands, Roatan – Honduras, Cozumel – Mexico
Price: 7 Nights from R7075 per person sharing
Call Graham at XL Turners Travel for your enquiries on 031 3688000
*Standard terms and conditions apply*
Beachcomber Mauritius
Valid 01-19 December 2008 – Ex Jnb
Le Mauricia **** breakfast & dinner included – from R12982
Le Victoria **** breakfast & dinner included – from R14746
Paradis ***** breakfast & dinner included – from R23277
Fly BA Comair and save R320 per couple
Inclusions per person:
- Return economy class airfares ex Johannesburg on SAA
- Prices exclude departure tax of approximately R1748
- Return airport transfers (private transfers to Paradis)
- 6 nights accommodation in a twin/double room
- Evening entertainment
- Land and water sports as per brochure
All rates are subject to availability, seasonality, airfare increases and currency fluctuation. Terms and conditions apply.
Lucky Draw Competition
The 5 star Hilton Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, is a business hotel located next to the world famous International Convention Centre. It is within easy reach of the business district, as well as within walking distance of Durban’s internationally renowned beaches. All of the guest rooms at the Hilton Durban Hotel enjoy a breathtaking view of the famous South African coastline and the Durban city skyline. Three of the nine meeting rooms featured at the Hilton Durban open onto a huge terrace, all with panoramic views of Durban and the ocean.
Visit www.hilton.com for more details.
This month, one lucky reader stands the chance to win the following wonderful prize:-
1 Nights Accommodation for 2 people on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis
To enter our lucky draw competition, all you need to do is make any travel booking during September 2008 and email your name and company name to Rachelle: rachelles@turnergroup.co.za
The closing date for this competition is Tuesday, 30th September 2008 and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, 1st October 2008.
Competition Rules
- Please note that this lucky draw is final.
- The prize may not be exchanged for cash and accommodation will be subject to availability at the time of booking. The prize must be utilised within six months, or it will expire.
GOOD LUCK!
This communiqué comes to you as part of XL Turners Travel's commitment to customer care. E&OE
Complete Corporate Travel Management Solutions
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