SAA search for travel trade talent

South African Airways (SAA) is on the hunt for talent in the Middle East travel trade following the launch of its 2010 ‘Come live your dream’ event - a modelling and dance show contest open to entrants throughout the region.

This year’s event has been much anticipated following the phenomenal success of the 2009 event, which saw 580 agents apply.

Rajendran Vellapalath, regional manager, East Africa & Middle East, South African Airways promised that this year’s event would be even more exciting than before. “We are doing it a bit differently this year – as well as the fashion show we want to have a dance competition for the travel trade,” he said.

43 dance finalists selected through an audition process will be trained by renowned Indian choreographer Abhey Singh. The contestants will be whittled down to compete for dance titles in various categories including: Bollywood, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and salsa.

The grand final is set to take place in August, when SAA will also launch its new brochure ‘I luv South Africa the Gateway to Africa’.

Vellapalath said ‘Come live your dream’ had been conceived by SAA as a way of “giving something back” to the travel trade. “You have to give something back to your travel agents over here. You have to work very closely with them; they are the ones who support any travel supplier in this part of the world.

There are 6000 travel agents in the Middle East and without them there is no business - they are the bread and butter of any airline, so you have to look after them. This is just our way of giving something back.”

Arabian Travel News is the official media partner for the event and will be there to cover the action every step of the way.

Full name: Shafraz Abdul Azeez
Age: 23
Agency: Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays
Title: Business travel consultant
Winner: ‘Best Smile’ Come Live Your Dream 2009

“I always wanted to be in fashion but fate brought me into travel. When I heard about the ‘Come Live Your Dream’ event last year I did not hesitate to enter. At first I was not thinking I would win anything, I just wanted to walk up the ramp; I was quite excited about that. Winning the competition last year was like a dream come true for me.

It has given me the confidence to pursue modelling as a hobby so I can get the satisfaction out of it that I always dreamt of. Since the show I have entered a few other competitions and applied for modelling agencies and I have been chosen as the ‘Splash Fashion Model of the Month’.

I don’t walk to way I used to walked before or smile the way I smiled before. My ambition is to get on the front of a brochure and become the face of South Africa - I would love to win the competition this year.”

How to enter:
If you think you have got what it takes, visit the website to enter:
www.flysaaholidays.com or
www.southafricaholidays.com.
Registration for the dance contest closes 15 May
Registration for the fashion show closes 20 June