Albert Nangara
The global tourism space is extremely competitive, and there is need to constantly find innovative ways to get more people to visit Africa.
As travellers seek new adventures and new locations to
explore, Southern Africa can be among the world's most sought-after
destinations.
South Africa has been using the latest innovations to
attract more visitors to the country.
Air Belgium has inked a new commercial deal with South
Africa's independent and premier airline, Airlink. This is expected to
conveniently connect customers travelling to or from Brussels with 36
destinations across Southern Africa.
This first cooperation agreement between both companies
offers Air Belgium clients the ability to purchase multi-sector journeys for
flights operated by Air Belgium and Airlink on one ticket. It includes the
added ability for passengers to have their luggage checked through to their
final destination when transiting through Johannesburg, South Africa.
In the latest development, Air Belgium has signed a new
commercial agreement with an independent African airline, Airlink, which
conveniently connects customers travelling to or from Brussels with 36
destinations across Southern Africa.
The first direct air linkage for more than two decades
between South Africa and Belgium is expected to stimulate tourism and
investment between the two countries and forge new gateways into the greater
European and African single markets.
Belgium is South Africa's sixth-largest trading partner, the
Western Cape's seventh-largest European export market, and an important
European source market.
According to figures from the Observatory of Economic Complexity
(OEC), a global data visualisation tool for international trade, as of 2020,
South Africa exported US$2.33 billion to Belgium. The main products that South
Africa exported to Belgium are Diamonds, Delivery Trucks, and Precious Metal
Scraps.
In the same year, Belgium exported US$838 million to South
Africa. The main products that Belgium exported to South Africa were Packaged
medicaments, pesticides, vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins and cultures.
"South Africa is in high demand for Belgian and European
travellers. We are delighted that our dynamic agreement with Airlink will allow
us to offer our customers seamless connections to 12 popular South African
leisure and business destinations, such as the Kruger National Park, Durban and
Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), as well as important business
destinations like Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Richards Bay, amongst others.
We're also excited to be able to offer our passengers the possibility to travel
to bucket-list destinations within the SADC region as well as the DRC,"
said Niky Terzakis, CEO of Air Belgium.
Airlink CEO and Managing Director Rodger Foster added:
"Choice, reliability, top-quality service and convenience are Airlink
hallmarks. Through this cooperative arrangement with Air Belgium, Airlink now
offers convenient connections through Johannesburg and Cape Town to Belgium,
which, besides hosting the EU capital, is a leading gateway for visitors to
Europe. It is also the heart of the international diamond trade and an
important centre for industrial manufacturing, making it a crucial trading
partner for many of the markets and countries we serve."
This first cooperation agreement between both companies
offers Air Belgium clients the ability to purchase multi-sector journeys for
flights operated by Air Belgium and Airlink on one ticket. It includes the
added ability for passengers to have their luggage checked through to their
final destination when transiting through Johannesburg, South Africa.
The agreement follows the recent inauguration of Air
Belgium's new service between Brussels, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, using the
fuel-efficient Airbus A330neo aircraft.
"South Africa has historically been a major tourist
destination for Belgium. There are also over 5 700 Belgians living and working
in South Africa, which is significant as a market for us. We're thrilled to
introduce South Africans to a new airline and an alternative route - and
thereby direct access to the heart of Europe," commented Niky Terzakis
during the inauguration.
South Arica's Tourism COO, Nomasonto Ndlovu, stressed that
Air Belgium's arrival would further the progress made in dispelling the
country's reputation as a hard-to-reach destination. She also applauded the
willingness of Air Belgium to partner with South Africa.
"South Africa is still regarded as a long-haul
destination, so when we have another direct flight from the heart of Europe, it
is highly significant for us. Direct flights are essential in driving our
tourism recovery."
The South African tourism industry has set a goal of
securing 15.6 million arrivals to the country by 2030. New flights are expected
to be launched by year-end.
Qantas will operate the only direct service from Perth to
Johannesburg, South Africa from November 1, 2022.
Currently, people going to Johannesburg from Perth currently
have to fly on Qantas via Sydney or via the Middle East. The new flights will
cut more than six hours from the fastest current travel time.
United Airlines will operate a non-stop flight between
Washington Dulles Airport and Cape Town International Airport. With this route,
United will be the first airline to offer non-stop, round-trip service between
Washington DC and Cape Town. The first flight will take off on November 18,
2022, and there will be three flights every week after that.
Air Mauritius is set to resume non-stop flights from Cape
Town to Mauritius from November 16 this year.
The airline said it would offer two weekly flights leaving
at night (22h05) from Cape Town and arriving in the early morning in Mauritius
(05h10).
Air Mauritius currently offers flights from Johannesburg OR
Tambo with a one-way economy-class ticket. According to Bussiness Tech,
FlySafair extended its route capacity earlier this year to include twice-weekly
flights from OR Tambo to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
Delta airlines also announced a new nonstop route from
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Cape Town International Airport.
The airline said that the new route between Atlanta and Cape
Town will be available by the beginning of December 17, 2022. It comes as part
of the carrier's expansion from the largest airline hub in the world, located
in Atlanta, into Africa.
South Africa's natural and cultural diversity supports a
globally compelling tourism proposition. The country's tourism base is
significant and it is one of the world's most popular long-haul destinations.
South Africa's top tourist destination has lots of beautiful coastlines and
beaches nearby, many whale-watching tours, and amazing scenery.
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