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Destination Seychelles and its Trade Partners all set for IFTM Top Resa 2019

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and their trade partners are gearing up to be part of the 41st edition of the IFTM Top Resa 2019 in France.

The four-day event is set to take place in Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, from the October 1, 2019 to October 4, 2019.

The delegation is being headed by Minster Didier Dogley, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marines and is accompanied by the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs. Sherin Francis.

Alongside the Minister and STB Chief Executive, Mrs Bernadette Willemin STB Europe Director, the STB Paris team and representatives from the STB Seychelles Headquarters will be ensuring that the Seychelles will shine once again at the IFTM Top Resa.

The STB Team will work diligently with the support of the trade partners from Seychelles -consisting of 7° South, Savoy Resort & Spa, Coral Strand Hotel, Mason’s Travel, Hilton Hotels, Creole Travel Services, Banyan Tree Hotel and Avani Barbarons Seychelles Resort-with the aim to increase the visibility of the destination, selling the destination as a must-visit place in the world as well as marketing the various products and services available in the Seychelles.

The event further presents STB and its partners with a platform that gives access to business-to-business meetings with key industry players, not mentioning the opportunity to network, increase understanding of the French market, as well as catch up to the latest market developments and trends.

At the eve of one of the biggest trade event in France, Mrs. Francis mentioned the eagerness of the STB to be present.

“It is an exciting time for the Seychelles, we are confident that this edition of the IFTM Top Resa be one which reconnects our destination with our French audience. We are looking forward to be present alongside our trade partners from Seychelles,” said the STB Chief Executive.

The Seychelles has been an avid participant in the IFTM Top Resa, France’s main international tourism trade fair, over the years.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles highlighted in Reunion Senior Trade Fair

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The destination was featured in Reunion’s 3rd edition of the distinguished Senior Trade Fair held in Reunion between May 31 to June 2, 2019.

The Seychelles Tourism Board’s (STB) participation in the 3-day consumer event focused on reinforcing Seychelles as a leisure destination for group travelers. The event, which regrouped over 100 exhibitors including service-providing experts in leisure, travel, and technologies under one roof, is viewed as the fundamental event in Reunion.

The Senior Trade Fair designed for group travelers – 50 and above – remains an opportunity for the STB to make its presence significant in increasing the number of tourism arrivals from the Reunion territory.

In their approach to the Reunion public, STB and Thomas Cook did not only share a co-branded stand to promote Seychelles as a holiday destination, the Reunion Travel Trade professional partner also proposed to all visitors special promotional offers for Seychelles. The features of the promotion custom-made a package specifically for this segment of travelers.

In addition, Thomas cook collaborated with its Destination Management Company in Seychelles, Mason’s Travel offering 2 nights at Indian Ocean Lodge and 2 nights at Carana Beach hotel in a draw held during the 3-day stand. Mason’s Travel also offered other prizes such as excursions and transfers.

Speaking about  the importance of STB’s participating to the Senior Trade Fair, STB Senior Marketing Executive based in Reunion, Ms. Bernadette Honore mentioned the remarkable turnout which will provide increased visibility for Seychelles as a destination that can be explored by group travelers for leisure

“Firming up our continued collaboration with Thomas Cook on this annual consumer trade fair highlighted the desire of Reunion Travel Trade professionals to grow this segment market to Seychelles. Reunion elderly population continued to be on the increase. Travelling is also one of their preferred hobbies. STB plans to continued working with this group travelers for leisure ensuring Seychelles capture part of this business,” said Ms. Bernadette Honore.

The STB representative also mentioned presence of important media such as Le Quotidien and Reunion Première at the Seychelles stand providing added visibility to the destination.

According to information gathered on an annual basis, 50 years and above are among one of the key potential travelers for leisure in Reunion, representing one quarter of Reunion population or around 62,000 people.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]  www.seychelles.travel

Lufthansa makes dedicated staff look bad: The eTN Hero is Patricia Dzai of Swissport Johannesburg

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Lufthansa

“My personal hero today is Ms. Patricia Dzai. Patricia works for Swissport in Johannesburg, South Africa,” said eTN Publisher Juergen Steinmetz. Swissport is one of the largest aviation ground-handling agencies operating in countries around the world.

Major airlines hire Swissport to manage customer relations and logistics when it comes to baggage handling, including lost or misplaced items.

Lufthansa German Airlines’ ground handler in Johannesburg is Swissport. I recently traveled from Nice to Cape Town via Frankfurt and Johannesburg on Lufthansa German Airlines. I am a United Airlines Star Alliance Gold member and traveled on Lufthansa in Business class. Lufthansa is a member of Star Alliance.

When I arrived in Johannesburg, I heard my name called by Lufthansa’s lost baggage office handled by Swissport.

I was told my tube was still in Frankfurt, and they would put it on the next flight to Johannesburg. I explained it was of utmost importance to have the tube for an important trade show event, the World Travel Market in Cape Town, in the morning.

Patricia Dzai, the Swissport agent in Johannesburg, wanted to make sure this would be possible and sent an urgent message to Lufthansa in Frankfurt. The message said:

 

 

 

 

 

I was pleased to know my tube would go on LH 576 directly to Cape Town almost in time for the start of World Travel Market.

I went on to fly to Cape Town and received a text message in the evening saying my tube would be on the Lufthansa flight to Johannesburg, which was different from what Patricia had requested. Since it was late and the Swissport office in Johannesburg was closed, I was able to find a non-published phone number for Lufthansa baggage service in Frankfurt. Lufthansa, like most airlines, is hiding phone numbers to encourage passengers to communicate only by email.

I was told by Lufthansa Baggage Service in Frankfurt no such message to forward my tube to Cape Town was ever received by Swissport Johannesburg. The agent went on to say that passengers are often not told the truth by Swissport agents.

The Lufthansa agent in Frankfurt explained that his job was not to help me, since this was only handled in Johannesburg. I argued my tube is in Frankfurt and not Johannesburg, and the handling agent for Swissport in Johannesburg was closed.

The agent then said he was now doing a one-time exception for me and would reroute my tube on LH576 directly to Cape Town. He said there were 5 hours to get this done, still plenty of time according to him.

The next day I received another message telling me again the tube was on its way to Johannesburg instead of Cape Town.

I called Swissport in Johannesburg, and the news not could have been worse. They told me, apologizing, that my tube was still in Frankfurt for a second day, and they did not know why.

I again called the baggage-handling office in Frankfurt and was again told it’s all Swissport’s mistake for not telling them where to send it.

This time I was angry and called Swissport Johannesburg again. I asked Patricia why she was lying about this. I told her she never sent this request to Frankfurt, according to Lufthansa.

Ten minutes later, I received an email with a time-stamped screenshot from Patricia Dzai showing me exactly what was requested by her in the first place.

Patricia actually had gone out of her way originally to make sure I would be united with my tube on time and in Cape Town. I felt bad thinking she didn’t care and didn’t do anything, when in fact she did.

It shows that big companies like Lufthansa have a serious customer service issue. They hide behind a huge system and are trained to say it’s not their job and simply blame others for company shortcomings.

There was no way I could talk to anyone at Lufthansa about this, and my urgent email to them on the day I was trying to get the tube re-routed was just responded to 2 weeks after I was already back home in Hawaii. Lufthansa offered a 200 euro compensation.

No explanation was given and no apology for accusing Patricia Dzai and Swissport for not doing their job.

I finally received my tube on the last day after the trade show and took it back to the US unopened. When I changed planes in Frankfurt, I asked the agent working in the Senator Lounge to speak to a supervisor in baggage handling about this case and compensation. She told me I have to send an email, which I had already done days ago.

She gave me some chocolate and said they get customers’ complaints all the time and do their best to help and respond, but the back-up system by the airline is not there.

It’s all about a giant non-caring anonymous machine.

I extend my apologies to Patricia Dzai from Swissport, as I now understand she was also a victim of shortcomings created by Lufthansa German Airlines.

Patricia Dzai is the eTN Hero for today.

Travel News | eTurboNews

South African Tourism appoints Trade Relations Officer

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Sherwin Arends joins South African Tourism (SAT) as Trade Relations Officer, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role following 12 years’ experience working within the travel industry.

Originally from Cape Town, Sherwin moved to the UK six years ago after travelling the world as a member of cabin crew for Qatar Airways. His most recent role was Senior Product Executive for Audley Travel.

Sherwin will be tasked with building and maintaining relationships with key travel trade contacts in the UK and Ireland while utilising South African Tourism’s research and insights to ensure the agents are provided with all the tools and support to confidently sell South Africa.

Sherwin says: “I’m very passionate about my birth country and proud of my South African heritage so I am thrilled to be joining the South African Tourism team in the UK. I’m looking forward to showcasing South Africa as a leading tourist destination, with a focus on promoting the well-known areas and experiences and helping to uncover and educate the trade on the destination’s hidden gems.”

Tolene van der Merwe Hub Head for the UK & Ireland at South African Tourism says: “We are delighted that Sherwin will be joining our growing team. His wealth of industry knowledge combined with his personal experience of South Africa will be invaluable as we collectively promote the destination to holidaymakers through the UK and Irish trade.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Barbican beefs up sales team

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The Barbican, a conference and international arts venue located in London, has appointed Jenny Waller as head of sales. The expanded role will see Jenny managing the growing sales team, which includes a renewed focus on international and association markets. Jenny will be supported in her role by the newly-appointed deputy head of sales, Charlie Smith.

Jenny has been promoted from the role of senior account manager within the Barbican team, where she has already achieved a number of significant wins for the world-leading arts and conference venue. These include major corporate and association events due to take place over the coming 24 months. Prior to working at the Barbican Jenny spent four years developing industry knowledge and expertise at Park Plaza Hotels.

Charlie returns to the Barbican, where he worked as an account manager for two years between 2016 and 2018. Other experience includes time developing sales skills at both Dreamland and HMS President.

“The Barbican is going from strength to strength,” commented Jackie Boughton, head of business events at the Barbican. “Last year we opened and showcased our new cinema offering, comprised of two cinemas and supporting food and beverage, as well as exhibition or networking space capable of seating up to 150 for conferences, meetings and private screenings. When added to our wider offering it makes the Barbican one of Europe’s most comprehensive venues. This in turn has led to an increase in both association and international bookings. Jenny has been instrumental in that success over the last year and was therefore the perfect choice to take on the demanding role leading our sales team. It is also a real pleasure to welcome Charlie back to the team – his in-depth knowledge of the venue is already having a significant impact on new business development.”

Jenny responded by saying: “This is a new and exciting challenge for me. Over the course of the next year I am particularly looking forward to working alongside our association specialists as we develop that market, whilst supporting our work with a strong presence at major international trade shows and events. The UK of course remains our core market and we are delighted by the ongoing support we receive from domestic clients booking direct or via our agency partners. However, there is still significant opportunity for us to develop internationally – particularly given our ability to partner with the Barbican International Enterprises team to deliver truly inspiring content and theming. The addition of Charlie to the team ensures we have the ongoing experience and depth of knowledge needed to deliver to the highest standards for our clients.”

Travel News | eTurboNews