Spotlight on South Africa

April 12th, 2010

With the World Cup kicking off in June, now is the perfect time to sell South Africa, just don’t forget what else this destination has to offer.

With less than two months to go before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa this summer, time is running out to sell World Cup packages to your clients.

According to FIFA, around 2.2 million out of 2.9 million World Cup tickets have so far been sold, and tour operators say packages are being snapped up fast as the event nears kick off.

Emirates is offering tailor-made FIFA World Cup packages which include flights, accommodation, ground transportation and match tickets.

Fans have a choice of three South African destinations to select as a base camp for their trip – Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban - and packages include flights, accommodation in a 2,3,4 or 5-star hotel, match tickets and transfers to and from the airport and stadiums either by bus or by plane depending on how far the base camp is from the matches.

MMI Travel has also introduced packages including flights, accommodation, ground transportation and match tickets. Rajeev Purohit, senior relationship manager, Strategic Alliances, MMI Travel says tickets are still available for all matches, but if clients want tickets to the final round matches they had better move fast.

“MMI started selling packages in November 2009 and demand really started picking up after the FIFA final draw took place on the 4th of December,” says Purohit.

“We have sold 300 plus packages to date. Currently, we have limited availability on the Final Round series matches, as they have been in very high in demand. Otherwise, packages are available for all other games of the World Cup.”

MMI Travel has also been appointed as an agent for FIFA’s Official Hospitality Programme and Purohit says hospitality packages have been selling well to high net worth individuals and corporates.

This year’s World Cup marks the first time the event has ever been held in an African nation, and all eyes are on South Africa to see how the country will cope with the massive influx of fans, who will be pouring in from 11 June – 11 July desperate for a piece of the action.

Almost half-a-million visitors are expected to descend on South Africa to experience the spectacle firsthand; while 35 to 40 billion viewers worldwide will be watching the action on screen.

South Africa’s tourism industry is expected to benefit hugely from the exposure. Rajendran Vellapalath, regional manager, East Africa & Middle East for South African Airways says he expects to see a significant boost in visitor numbers to the country following the World Cup: “We are excited about the opportunities the event will bring beyond the big game for the African continent, especially from a leisure and business travel angle.”

“The event presents significant tourism business opportunities to the continent According to reports, by the end of the world cup almost 450,000 new ambassadors will return home to spread the warmth and hospitality that Africa has to offer to the world.”

To prepare for the World Cup, South Africa is spending a whopping US$5.5 billion on projects such as improved facilities in Cape Town and Johannesburg airports plus a new airport, located just north of Durban opening in May.

Six brand new stadiums are being built and four are being revamped, and a number of world-class hotels have also entered the scene, such as the One&Only and Radisson properties in Cape Town, while Sun City in the North West province has just undergone a major facelift to tune of $35.7 million. All the rooms have been refurbished and the old media centre has been converted into a brand new state of the art conference centre.

OFF THE PITCH
For those with no interest in the beautiful game, South Africa offers an amazing array of things to do away from the pitch. The country has plenty to offer visitors: outstandingly beautiful natural scenery; some of the best game reserves on the continent; spectacular coastlines and vineyards through to exclusive resorts and an exciting nightlife.

The destination is growing in popularity with visitors from the Gulf thanks to excellent flight connections with Emirates to Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town; plus its reputation as a value for money destination.

“We recommend South Africa to our clients as it is an all-year-round destination,” says Natalie Matteus from luxury travel company Odysseus.

“It is very good value for money, the service is very good and it caters for all types of traveller - food lovers, nature lovers, sports lovers, adventurers, clubbers and shoppers. With great connections from Emirates, we have seen that South Africa is getting more and more interest among visitors from the Gulf. At the moment, people tend to be more price-conscious and look for value for money and South Africa has that.”

Much is written about the high crime rate in South Africa, and it’s important to advise clients to take extra precautions when visiting the country. Visitors should take care when using ATM machines as common scams can involve stealing cash and PIN numbers.

Choose ATMs carefully and try to avoid using them at night or in secluded places. Keep expensive items under wraps and valuables in hotel safes and don’t wander off at night in cities you are not familiar with.

Having said all of that, many travellers go to South Africa and do not experience any problems at all. Matteus who has travelled to South Africa alone on many occasions, says: “I personally felt very safe everywhere I went, even as woman alone. If you book with a well-known travel agency, they will only book you in good hotels in good parts of cities. That is an absolute must. Don’t go for the hotel bargains as you might end up in wrong parts of town. ”

MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Cape Town: Situated amidst some of the world’s most outstanding coastal scenery, surrounded by mountains, fertile farmlands and vineyards, Cape Town must be one of the most stunningly located cities in the world.

The landscape is dominated by Table Mountain. Visitors can ride to the summit by cable car for unparalleled views of the city and coast. Also high on the list of things to do is Cape Peninsula, with the shoreline between Clifton and Kommetjie being a particularly dramatic spot.

Clients should be advised to take a journey through the Cape Winelands, to take in some outstandingly beautiful landscapes and have a chance to sample some of South Africa’s world famous wines.

Another must-do tour is the Garden Route. Stretching from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth, this is one of the world’s most scenic journeys taking visitors through amazingly varied landscapes of soaring cliffs, spectacular beaches, rocky coves, thick forests, tranquil lakes and rugged mountains. Nearly 300 species of birds are to be found in a variety of habitats along the route, whilst nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area.

The largest game reserve in South Africa, Kruger National Park is home to an unrivalled range of animals, including lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and antelope.

The park has restaurants, petrol stations, shops and rest camps. Kruger is so vast that it’s possible to travel for over an hour without seeing another vehicle.

Sun City is a huge holiday resort less than two hours’ drive from Johannesburg which features luxury hotels, a casino, sporting facilities including tennis, squash, bowling and swimming, the wildlife of Pilansberg National Park, a casino, the Superbowl, Waterworld and two Gary Player-designed golf courses.

SAMPLE PACKAGES

Emirates World Cup Package
For England fans living in Dubai who want to see England’s first two group matches (versus US and Algeria), Emirates has a 10-night trip centred in Durban. Prices start at US$5,580 based on double room occupancy, including economy flights, accommodation in a 3-star hotel, two Category 1 match tickets for both matches and transfers to matches in Rustenburg (via flight) and Cape Town. Emirates is running a promotion between now and 15th April for anyone booking this package, throwing in an extra two group match tickets for free (the free tickets do not include ground transportation).
T: +971 4 214 4444
W: www.emirates.com

MMI Final Round Package
MMI has a 7-night trip starting at $10,767 per person inclusive of match tickets for one semi-final and the final in Johannesburg. The dates are 4th July – 12th July and include accommodation in 3-star hotel, flights, stadium transfers, and domestic air transfers to the semi-final.
T: +971 4 404 5859
W: www.mmitravel.com

Gorah Elephant Camp
Odysseus offers 4-nights to Gorah Elephant camp, a game lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park. The package costs $1,632 and includes accommodation in a luxury tent, meals and two game drives daily.
T: +971 7 204 1550
W: www.odysseus.com

Sun City & Safari
Odysseus has a 7-day trip with three nights bed and breakfast at Sun City in five star accommodation, followed by two nights at Beyond Madikwe Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve, and two game drives daily. The price is $2,181 per person.
T: +971 7 204 1550
W: www.odysseus.com

Garden Route Wonderland
Emirates has a 5-night chauffeur-driven car tour from Cape Town, taking in the natural beauty of the Garden Route. The price starts at $1,896 per person including accommodation, breakfasts and transfers but not flights to Cape Town.
T: +971 4 214 4444
W: www.emirates.com

Agent Incentive
As well as 10% commission, MMI TRAVEL is offering incentives for travel agents and tour operators selling its World Cup packages in the UAE:

AED150 voucher if you sell a Group Stage package
AED 300 voucher if you sell an
Opening Ceremony, Semi Final or Finals package
AED 500 voucher if you sell a
Final Round series package

HOW TO SELL

WHO TO SELL TO
Football fans, honeymooners, families, adventure seekers

HOW TO GET THERE
Emirates flies daily three times to Johannesburg; daily once to Cape Town and Durban
South African Airways flies between Dubai and Johannesburg, and daily to Cape Town and Durban from Dubai on a code share agreement with Emirates

WHEN TO GO
The World Cup takes place from 11 June – 11 July.
Otherwise winter (June to September) is cooler and ideal for outdoor pursuits and wildlife-watching, while the summer months offer great festivals, including the Cape Town New Year Karnaval.

VISAS
All GCC nationals require a visa to travel to South Africa which can be obtained from the South African Consulates in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Visitors from most Commonweath and Western European countries do not require a visa.

WHY SOUTH AFRICA

Excellent value for money,
beautiful climate all year round
diversity of things to do: beaches, mountains, cities, safaris
good infrastructure
excellent cuisine and nightlife
good accommodation in all price ranges

TOUR OPERATORS

Emirates: www.emirates.com
MMI Travel: www.mmitravel.com
Odysseus: www.odysseus.com