COMMUNIQUE' - SEPTEMBER 2009 EDITION
In This Issue:
and more...
Smart Travel In 2010 - How It Will Affect You!
All indications are that airline seats will be sold out and many flights are already full, cars will not be available for hire, and most hotel rooms have been allocated to the event. Many areas will be restricted to permit holders and you will not be permitted access. You will not be able to pick up the phone to your travel agent, or service provider or click onto the internet and book travel arrangements as usual. No way! XL Turners Travel is preparing a strategy to assist our travellers by keeping in touch with the latest developments, availabilities and options. Visit our website today to keep abreast of our strategising for 2010 - www.turnerstravel.co.za.
Control Your Travel Budget - How To Save Costs
Organisations are ever more aware of the costs related to business travel, especially as it is one of the most significant items on their budgets. They demand control of their travellers and the manner in which travel is transacted with the organisation's financial objectives in mind. Turners will work in partnership with you to effectively, and realistically manage and control your travel spend. For further details visit www.turnerstravel.co.za.
Airlines Remain In The Red, Despite Increased Demand
IATA's international scheduled traffic results for July show a passenger demand decline of 2/9% compared with the same period last year. International passenger load factors stood at 80,3%. IATA said the 2.9% decline in demand was a relative improvement over the 7,2% drop in June and the 6,8% decline recorded over the first seven months of this year. "July capacity was more in line with reduced demand than in previous months and load factors are similar to those recorded in July 2008," said IATA. However, according to IATA, these positive developments have come at the expense of yields, which continue to fall sharply. "Demand may look better, but the bottom line has not improved. We have seen little change to the unprecedented fall in yields and revenues. The months ahead are marked by many uncertainties, including the price of oil. The road to recovery will be both slow and volatile. In the meantime, the industry remains in intensive care," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and ceo. A regional breakdown of passenger demand shows that African carriers saw a fall of 5,5% compared with the seven-month average of -8.6%. Middle Eastern carriers were the only ones to show growth, while the Asia-Pacific carriers seemed to experience the extremes of the recession.
1Time Expects R47m-Plus Profit
1Time Airlines has advised its shareholders that its earnings and headline earnings will show a profit of between R47m and R56m for the six months ended June 2009. In July, 1Time already announced improved operating margins for the six months ended June 30, 2009, attributed to lower fuel prices and higher revenues. The airline said passenger volumes and yields had shown good growth despite "the generally tough trading environment". In terms of hedging, it had entered into a "zero cost collar" to hedge approximately 30% of its fuel requirements for three months - August to October - at current oil levels and a fixed rand/dollar rate. In March the airline reported a fall in headline earnings for 2008, in what it called the "most turbulent" year in aviation industry. The results for the six months ended June 30 are expected to be published shortly.
Protea Hotel OR Tambo To Open In November
PROTEA Hotels has announced the opening of the Protea Hotel OR Tambo in Kempton Park, within the Comair Office Park, a 10-minute drive from the airport terminal buildings. The new four-star, 213-room property will benefit both local and international business travellers, but will also cater for the aircrew market. The hotel offers two multi-use conferencing rooms, accommodating up to 120 people and a selection of executive boardrooms and small meeting rooms catering for 12-20 delegates. The hotel has its own restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, a swimming pool, bar lounge, informal deli and fitness centre. A unique feature of the hotel is its industrial aviation theme, with pieces from airport hangars and old aircraft decorating the walls. "We like to put thought into all of our new developments and understand that business people spend five times longer in their hotel room than leisure travellers," said Danny Bryer, group marketing and revenue director at Protea Hotels. "We have catered for all their business needs while at the same time looking at innovative ways to create a unique experience".
All Systems Go For La Mercy?
ACSA recently announced that the R7bn La Mercy airport is about 70% complete, "with most areas on the critical path well on track". According to ACSA, the air traffic control tower has been handed over to ATNS to ensure all the necessary IT integrations can be completed and the runway and taxiways are ahead of schedule. The terminal building roof has been completed and most concrete work is also complete. ACSA is also in the process of finalising the retail appointment for the new site and is ensuring all the relevant tenant co-ordination activities are well advanced. The "state of the art" baggage system is being installed and the air bridges will be installed in the next month. A recent TNW article (August 12, La Mercy - an expensive white elephant?) however reported that international airlines, apart from Emirates, have not shown any interest in opening up routes to KwaZulu Natal.
Travel Industry Honoured At Top Brands Awards
SEVERAL travel brands were honoured at this year's Sunday Times Top Brands survey. In the Business to Consumer metropolitan consumer section SAA received first place in the domestic airline category, followed by British Airways and Mango as best domestic airline. Mango was also named the best low-cost carrier in South Africa. In the Business to Business category British Airways took first place as the best domestic airline, followed by Kulula in second and SAA in third. In the same category Avis was ranked first, followed by Budget in second and Europcar in third place. Sun International Hotels and Resorts was ranked first in the Business to Business category's hotel section, followed in second place by Hilton Hotels and Southern Sun in third place.
British Airways Celebrates 90 Years
BRITISH Airways is celebrating 90 years of service after its launch on August 25, 1919. On this date the world's first daily international air service was launched from London to Paris, operated by Air Transport & Travel Ltd, a precursor of British Airways. "Over the past nine decades, British Airways has played its part in many historic episodes. We provided the first air links to far-flung capitals in the days of empire, flew Winston Churchill across the Atlantic during wartime, brought Queen Elizabeth back to Britain after the passing of George VI, repeatedly led the way with aircraft innovation and has often proudly transported home our sports teams from success overseas," said Martin Broughton, BA Chairman. An internal exhibition will showcase memorabilia from nine decades of travel, while customers in Terminal 5 have been treated to cabin crew modelling vintage uniforms in the run-up to its anniversary week.
Chikungunya Fever In Thailand, Malaysia And India
THERE has been an outbreak of chikungunya fever in Thailand, with over 30 000 cases so far this year, particularly in the southern part of the country and Phuket. There have also been cases in parts of Malaysia and southern India. The disease is seldom fatal, but there is no vaccine and travellers are advised to take precautions against mosquitoes.
Where Comfort Meets Luxury
Lake Pleasant Living Near Knysna
 
2 nights Self Drive R1 149
| Ex DUR |
R2 599 (taxes R144) |
| Ex JNB |
R2 369 (taxes R160) |
| Ex CPT |
R2 929 (taxes R563) |
Fly in package includes:
- Return flights to George or to Port Elizabeth when travelling from Durban
- 2 days Avis car hire
- 2 nights at the 4* Lake Pleasant Living near Knysna in a 2 bedroom self contained suite with breakfast
- 10% discount off your meal at Cruise Café in Knysna
- 2 Oysters & a glass of wine or a Mango Daiquiri at the Cruise Café in the Knysna Waterfront
- Thompsons travel bag
Activities:
- Mantis collection spa on the lake, kiddies and rim flow swimming pool, indoor heated pool, bass fishing, mountain biking, hiking & bird watching
**The above package is based on a minimum of 4 people sharing**
**Fly in rates Ex CPT valid for bookings and paid before 30 September 2009**
For any information please contact our leisure consultant, Graham Moore on 031 368 8000 - XL Turners Travel.
Experience "True" Africa
Nkomazi Game Reserve Near Badplaas
 
2 nights Self Drive R3 939
| Ex PLZ |
R5 259 (taxes R165) |
| Ex DUR |
R4 929 (taxes R170) |
| Ex CPT |
R5 279 (taxes R160) |
Fly in package includes:
- Return flights to Johannesburg
- 2 days Avis car hire
- 2 nights at the 5* Nkomazi Game Reserve with all meals and selected drinks daily
- 2 Game drives daily
Activities:
- Nature walks, bird watching, star gazing, rock art viewing, mountain biking, game viewing & Relaxation Retreat
For any information please contact our leisure consultant, Graham Moore on 031 368 8000 - XL Turners Travel.
September 2009 Lucky Draw Competition
Welcome to the Richard's Hotel - a unique and inviting retreat, just two hours north of Durban, situated in the diverse city of uMhlathuze, Zululand. Experience the warm friendliness of Richard's Bay and its picturesque surroundings, coupled with the relaxed hospitality and convenience of the centrally situated Protea Hotels Richard's Bay. Accommodation is comfortable, fully air-conditioned and stylishly decorated, including five suites. Socialising is easy at The Oasis, our intimate ladies bar. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail or dine in our spacious, elegant restaurant, where the tantalising and varied buffet/carvery is sure to tempt you.
Visit www.proteahotels.com for more details.
This month, one lucky reader stands the chance to win the following wonderful prize:-
WEEKEND FOR TWO ON A COMPLIMENTARY
BED & BREAKFAST BASIS
To enter our lucky draw competition, all you need to do is make any travel booking during September 2009 and email your name and company name to Rachelle: rachelles@turnergroup.co.za
Or, simply fill in your details below and click enter competition.
|
