The Incentive Planner 23/24

2023/2024 • Issue 02

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Build better teams, with tandem

UNPACKING SA’S VISA ISSUES

Top destinations as voted by local incentive planners

AI use cases

RESHAPING REWARDS: NET ZERO TRAVEL & TOURISM INDUSTRY VIEWS: SITE AFRICA, SATSA, FEDHASA www.theplannerguru.co.za

R55.00 ISBN 978-0-6397-2294-8

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THE INCENTIVE PLANNER 2023/24

CONTENTS The Planner

@theplannerguru

@theplannerguru

The Planner is growing its footprint – connect with us today! the-planner-guru

the lannerguru.co.za 06 COVER STORY: Build Better Teams, With Tandem Tandem is a corporate team building and events expert. What puts them in a league of their own is their ability to strengthen teams across a broad range of critical team attributes and skills, ultimately delivering a high ROI for their clients.

08 RESHAPING REWARDS: Embracing Net Zero Travel And Tourism

06

In Incentives The race to net zero has begun. Some businesses are in the lead, while others are watching from the sidelines… What could or should the incentive travel industry be doing, and why?

INCENTIVE PROGRAMMES 13 S ITE Afirca: Trends & spends in incentive travel 16 Enhance your incentive programme in 2024 and beyond

18 C reate the best impression with Barmotion 20 T ownship hospitality & tourism economy

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20

DESTINATIONS 24 SATSA: Elevating destination SA 26 Top destinations for local incentive planners INCENTIVE ACCOMMODATION 30 Indulge in the ultimate self-care experience 31 FEDASA: Cautious optimism 34 Doing business better, at Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch

26

TOURISM & CONFERENCING 36 How & why to create inclusive events ADVENTURE EXPERIENCES 40 Unlocking Southern Africa’s adventure tourism potential

41 Growing SA’s golf appeal 42 Choose your own adventure!

ALL ABOUT TRAVEL SERVICES & SUPPLIERS 44 AI use cases for travel-related businesses 46 Visa matters

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44

REGULARS 03 Ed’s comment 04 Incentive travel tidbits

#ED’SCOMMENT Editor Pippa Naude (editor@4mal.co.za) Design Antois-Leigh Nepgen Contributors David Frost, Kathy Lavery, Rosemary

Anderson, Tes Proos Photo credits Unsplash & Raw Pixels & supplied Production Antois-Leigh Nepgen Key Accounts Manager Vanessa Bisschoff Bookkeeper Belinda Siegruhn Advertising

Vanessa Bisschoff +27 (0)84 805 6752 | vanessa@4mal.co.za Christine Pretorius +27 (0)76 665 1886 | sales@4mal.co.za

A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR 2024

PUBLISHED BY

Publisher Antois-leigh Nepgen

4Mal Media Management 36 Republic road, Unit 38 The Palm, Eastleigh, 1609 Tel: +27 (0)72 738 7993 The Incentive Planner 2023/24 © Copyright 2023.

All rights reserved. www.theplannerguru.co.za SUBSCRIPTION R330.00 per annum | enquiries@4mal.co.za ISBN 978-0-6397-2294-8 NOTICE OF RIGHTS The Incentive Planner is published annually by 4Mal Media Management. This publication, its form and contents vest in 4Mal Media Management. All rights reserved.

No part of this book, including cover and interior designs, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

The authors' views may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or associated professional bodies. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation and compilation of this publication, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, completeness or accuracy of its contents, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. While every effort has been taken to ensure that no copyright or copyright issues is/are infringed, 4Mal Media Management, its directors, publisher, officers and employees cannot be held responsible and consequently disclaim any liability for any loss, liability damage, direct or consequential of whatsoever nature and howsoever arising.

MEMBER OF

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Despite many challenges, the incentives space is also rife with opportunities.

O

verall, the incentive industry is heading into 2024 in a good position. This is partly driven by greater demand for incentive programmes thanks to changes in the modern workforce (think remote teams, hybrid workplaces, and increased staff attraction and retention needs), and partly driven by a greater appreciation of the efficacy of incentive programmes (due to a growing body of research demonstrating this with hard data).

Of course, it would be remiss to ignore the many challenges and constraints that make working in this space fraught. From global economic and political instability to local challenges of crime and a loss of talent, there is a lot to contend with. But us South Africans have an ability to just get on with it – after all, ‘n boer maak ‘ n plan!

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS And that’s what the 2023/24 edition of The Incentive Planner is all about – what our industry is doing to just keep getting better.

Our cover story on Tandem’s team building offering highlights the level of service excellence that can be found in SA (page 6), while the powerful AI use cases on page 44 spotlight just how much this

technology is likely to alter the way we work – for the better, I think! Plus, we unpack some of the pain points the incentive travel sector is grappling with and how to address them, including the need to urgently achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (page 9), and SA’s visa issues (page 46).

There is also an update from SATSA on what it is doing to grow South Africa’s tourist arrivals (page 24), while FEDHASA celebrates the expansion of BRICS and what it means for us (page 31).

And so, overall, I am feeling positive about what 2024 holds – but don’t take my word for it. Please read the pages that follow, and don’t skip Tes Proos, president of SITE Africa, and Kathy Lavery, SITE Africa member, sharing a state of the industry summary on page 13, with some insider insights.

Happy reading,

Pippa

Travel

Outlook strong for incentive travel sector

IBTM World’s 2023 Incentive Travel Report indicates that the recovery of the incentive travel sector is going from strength to strength, with its global market value projected to reach £174 billion (R4 billion) by 2031.

The sector is growing at an annual rate of 12.1% and predicts that the number of people participating in incentive travel programmes worldwide will grow by 61% in 2024, compared to 2019. To view the report in full, please visit: www.ibtmworld.com.

The newly released 2023 Incentive Travel Index (ITI) also reports that, overall, the incentive travel industry is strong. It shares that growth is projected through 2025 for both number of people participating in incentive trips as well as per-person spend. However it adds that tangible financial ROI and concerns around cost are indexing higher than previous studies, highlighting an underlying caution that stems from an uncertain geo-political, economic, and environmental backdrop. While industry-wide trends emerged, the study reflects variation by geography as well as by industry sector.

Visit www.incentiveindex.com to download the full report. 4

SITE & ADMEI announce new partnership The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) & the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) have announced details of a new partnership based on their natural alignment as associations within the business events industry and the synergies that flow from this shared focus.

SITE is the only global association dedicated exclusively to the incentive travel industry while ADMEI is the pre-eminent global organisation for destination management companies – DMCs – who play a pivotal role in the delivery of incentive travel experiences.

This wide-ranging partnership involves reciprocal opportunities to benefit members including events, education, and sharing of digital assets. 4

Pictured (L-R): As seen at the new venue which is under construction, CEO Gary Koetser, operations manager Bernard Abrahams, and executive chef Abbas Abrahams.

Century City Conference Centre’s R15 million upgrade to include a new venue

Century City Conference Centre has announced a R15 million investment which will be used to increase its capacity with the addition of a new venue, and to enhance its Business Lounge experience with refurbishments.

The brand-new venue being built will expand the centre’s existing space by 500 m², bringing its total eventing floor space to 3 000m².

In terms of the upgrades to the Business Lounge, Bernard Abrahams, the conference centre operations manager, says, “Within the Business Lounge, attendees can look forward to an exceptional level of comfort and functionality. The lounge will now boast innovative meeting pods and sound-proof concentration pods, creating an ideal setting for productive discussions and brainstorming sessions.”

The upgrade should be completed by January 20244

Globally, air travel is back to pre-pandemic levels Aviation analytics firm Cirium released data on 09 October 2023 showing that global airline flight capacity — the number of seats being offered multiplied by distance flown — was about to surpass its corresponding 2019 levels.

Despite a return of capacity, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shared that industry profit will be less than 40% of 2019’s level this year. 4

4 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

Minister Patricia de Lille welcomes Cabinet’s concurrence of the Tourism Sector Masterplan

The 2023 edition of IMEX America is the biggest it’s ever been IMEX America rook place from 17-19 October 2023 in Las Vegas. This year’s show is officially the largest in its 12-year history, with a 20% increase in space taken by exhibitors and a 9% increase in the number of exhibition stands.

Nearly half of all exhibiting companies have increased their stand sizes and every sector of the market has grown, the majority by double-digits.

In addition, over 70 000 meetings were planned between 4 000+ buyers and 3 400 exhibiting companies at more than 360 stands.

IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer says, “These figures are good news for the market and bode well for short-term business and, importantly, long-term positive economic impact. In a world experiencing so much turmoil, it’s incumbent upon us to focus on the underlying impact of our industry— bringing people together for deeper human connections and mutual benefit.” 4

The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan (TSRP) has been converted into the Tourism Sector Masterplan, a key priority given to Minister de Lille by President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of the minister’s performance agreement. This priority has now been achieved, with the gazetting of the Tourism Sector Masterplan on Friday 13 October 2023.

“As the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan has a lifespan of three years, from 2021/22 to 2023/24, the Department of Tourism embarked on a process to convert the TSRP into the Tourism Sector Masterplan.

This entailed the integration of all TSRP interventions into the Tourism Sector Masterplan, with the extension of the timeframe for implementation up to the 2025/26 financial year,” said Minister de Lille.

“Implementing the Masterplan will create opportunities for inclusive participation of all sectors of society, including women, youth and people with disabilities. This Plan also gives impetus to the recovery and sustained growth of the sector,” added the Minister. 4

SA Tourism wins ‘Best Adventure Tourism Destination’ at Today’s Traveller Awards 2023

Standing testament to South Africa’s exceptional adventure experiences, South African Tourism (SA Tourism) won the prestigious title of ‘Best Adventure Tourism Destination’ at Today’s Traveller 26th Anniversary Celebrations & Awards 2023, held at Taj Mahal Palace in New Delhi.

SA Tourism shares that South Africa is home to more than 3 000 adventure activities including one of the world’s highest bungee jumps, shark-cage diving, big swing options, skydiving, ziplining amidst aweinspiring scenery, and many more.

With robust marketing and on-ground consumer initiatives coupled with enticing airfare offers, South Africa has risen higher up in the consideration set of Indian travellers seeking an adventurous, value-formoney destination. Consequently, SA Tourism has witnessed over 80% growth in arrivals during January – July 2023 in comparison to the same period last year.

SA Tourism is deeply invested in India as part of their long-term global strategy, and it is one of the top-3 focus markets for the tourism board globally. This year, the tourism board aims to achieve pre-pandemic arrival numbers from India.

At present, the destination enjoys great connectivity with extremely short layovers across most major international airlines. Several stop-over flights fly from India to South Africa, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Air Seychelles. 4

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THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

5

COVER STORY

Build better teams with tandem

Tandem is a corporate team building and events expert. What puts them in a league of their own is their ability to strengthen teams across a broad range of critical team attributes and skills, ultimately delivering a high ROI for their clients.

“

Many team building companies host fun events that build morale and spirit. At Tandem we call this ‘spirit building’, and know it is important for creating high-functioning teams. However, we also know that this is only one of the elements of effective teams – and we are committed to helping deliver all the elements that teams need to thrive in the modern workplace,” says Shantal Morsner, sales and operations GM at Tandem, a corporate events company with an innovative approach.

She goes on to list some of the other factors that are critical for effective teamwork, such as; understanding team dynamics, defining goals, having a shared vision, instilling creative problem solving, boosting employee confidence, improving decision making, cultivating leadership skills, increasing cooperation and productivity, managing stress effectively, promoting wellness, building interpersonal trust, enhancing group communication, developing conflict resolution skills… and more.

“Our unique selling point is that we can help identify problems and opportunities in the workplace, provide the right framework to constructively engage on these, and ultimately impart the skills and solutions teams need to excel,” she adds. In other words, it’s a strategic outcomes-based approach, and not only about having fun – “Although we do that too!”

6 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24

IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS FOR EACH CLIENT Shantal highlights that helping a team perform better is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as every company and team is different and has its own mix of strengths, weaknesses, and objectives.

Therefore, Tandem custom curates their team building events so that they are perfectly adapted to a client and the outcomes they are looking for.

This can be done with a light touch in terms of helping a client choose the right team building package that aligns with their needs and tweaking it to fit their unique scope. The company’s catalogue of packages is extensive, including popular and well-known options as well as newly innovated ones, such as tech savvy futuristic builds (hello Oculus virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse), or holistic health and wellness workshops (imparting stress management tools, including yoga, meditation, and breathing classes).

Adventure activities, corporate social responsibility events, and corporate workshops with a training and development angle are also on the menu.

At the other end of the spectrum, Tandem can offer a fully custom-designed programme developed in-house and based on consultations to establish their client’s key concerns and

objectives (among other considerations).

For example, clinical psychologist Dr Keely Owen is the company’s inhouse professional facilitator who can design bespoke corporate curative sessions which cater to dealing with conflict resolution, stress management, post-pandemic challenges, inclusivity, and more. Or she can develop Exco care sessions to assist high level executive committees deal with the myriad stresses and challenges that their roles place on them, including improved interpersonal skills, stress management, crisis intervention, and so on.

These tailored solutions to help teams thrive are even more valuable post-Covid, where, in addition to the standard challenges that teams face, there are several new ones. For example, many companies are taking in high volumes of new recruits, while their teams are dispersed thanks to remote work set-ups, and lingering post-pandemic mental health challenges still plague many employees. Team building has become an invaluable tool to help companies flourish in this new landscape.

AN IN-HOUSE POWERHOUSE While the content of teambuilding is an area where Tandem excels, they also know how to host exceptional events. Because Tandem partner companies include the likes of Inspire

www.theplannerguru.co.za

#TANDEM

TAKE YOUR PICK Choose from Tandem’s extensive range of teambuilding packages and services.

Rentals, Unlimited Events, and Prop Stars, they have everything an event needs, in-house. From large premises perfect for hosting events, to tents, staging, lighting, AV, furniture hire, props, security, RSVPs, and more, they have the infrastructure, stock, and expertise to execute a very professional experience at a great price.

This also means that the company is always able to bring a strong aesthetic to every event, and there is always a wow factor.

“We never provide a basic offering; every event we deliver will have something special about it,” stresses Shantal.

Another benefit to working with Tandem is that it is a one-stop-shop for a fully packaged and produced teambuilding event – and any other type of event you would like to host.

(The company can also deliver unique concepts for awards dinners, conferences, exhibitions, company family fun days, and recognition and incentive events – including corporate incentive trips and executive weekend getaways.) Each client benefits from needing to only deal with one person, who will handle every aspect of their event, from planning to implementation and, finally, its flawless execution.

GOODBYE 2023… HELLO 2024!

Team building can be a great way to end the year on a high note, especially when combined with a company year-end function. However, Shantal also highlights its value as a way to start the new year; “At the start of the year, most companies want to lay the groundwork for their success.

Team building events or corporate curative workshops can be an effective way to bring teams together, align their goals and mindset, and clarify what each team member needs to succeed in the year ahead.”

So, if you’re looking for real results and tangible benefits – look no further. At Tandem, “We don’t just meet expectations, we surpass them.” 4

tandemeventsza

tandem-sa

ADVENTURE Quad Bike Outride Zip Lining White River Rafting Abseiling Coastering Rock Climbing Caving Shark Cage Diving Skydiving and Simulator Fire Walking Reach for the Summit

Virtual Gaming Tours Escape Rooms Oculus VR Metaverse & AI CULINARY Stay Calm & Potjie On Braai Buddies Its Hell In The Kitchen Corp Chief Chef Sushi Roll The Great Bake Sugar & Spice For Cups Sake

OUTDOOR Fantastic Race Corporate Castaways Gigantic Games Frenzy Find Corporate Sports Arena Summer Splash Games Bulls-Eye Shoot Out Challenge Team Shipwreck Build-A-Kart Derby African Railway The Mission is Possible Art in the Park – Brand Jamming INDOOR Ice-breakers Corporate Boarder Control Showbiz Minute To Win It Sync Those Lips Corporate Feud / Jeopardy Team Trivia Movie-Maker Music Video Retake Team Tank The Self-Starter Corporate Speed Meet The Office Mockumentary The Paper Room Murder Mystery Drumming & Gumboot Interaction Lego Build It Casino Nite Quiz Games Talent Show Keys-2-Karaoke Various Dance Packages Murder Mystery CSI – The Usual Suspects Portrait or Potter

TandemEventsSA

BUSINESS BEVERAGES Casino Cocktail, Tikki Bar, Crazy Cocktails Crafty Shakes BrewTime – Barista Wine Pairing and Blending GinBar Choc & Cognac Macaroon & Champagne BrewBonds – Beer Tours & Tastings Shebeen Town Party WORKSHOPS Corporate Emotional Health & Mental Wellbeing Achieving A+ Inhouse Teambuild Workshop Training & Development Corporate Responsibility Corporate Remedial Exco Care & Recognition Calendar Events EVENTS Event Management Conferences, Seminars Brand Activations Gala Dinners & Award Ceremonies Acknowledgment & Incentive Retreats Event Tech RSVPS Risk Mitigation Security & Medics

www.tandemevents.co.za

tandem.events

BEST PRACTICE

Reshaping Rewards:

EMBRACING NET ZERO TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN INCENTIVES

The race to net zero has begun. Some businesses are in the lead, while others are watching from the sidelines… What could or should the incentive travel industry be doing, and why?

N

et zero ambitions have been gaining traction across industries, and within private and public enterprises. The aim of net zero goals is, simply put, to both reduce carbon emissions and remove them from the atmosphere, so that human activities have an overall neutral carbon balance sheet.

The cut off to achieve net zero is typically 2050, giving businesses time to decarbonise their activities while still aligning with the Paris Agreement to prevent a temperature rise above 2° – and the catastrophic effects this would have for us all.

It is becoming increasingly apparent just how critical these targets are. The northern hemisphere had its hottest summer ever on record in 2023, with a similar expectation for the southern hemisphere’s approaching summer. Meanwhile, heat waves, hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding are occurring more frequently and intensely than usual across the globe. In a statement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said “The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting. Climate breakdown has begun.”

THE CARBON IMPACT OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM According to a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report, A net zero roadmap for travel & tourism¹ (2021), current estimates of travel and tourism emissions fall within a range between 8%

and 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the world – or 3.9 to 5.4 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions out of a total of 48.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2019!

While WTTC acknowledges that it is challenging to accurately measure the carbon footprint of global travel and tourism, it is clear it has a significant impact and there is an urgent need to address this – especially considering how tourism has been earmarked as a huge growth opportunity and economic enabler for developing nations.

A DIRECT CORRELATION: AFFLUENCE AND CARBON Incentive travel is only one small facet of the travel industry. However, it tends to be associated with luxury travel, such as business class flights, exotic destinations, gourmet menus, yachts, etc. This makes perfect sense as a reward which promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it also means the carbon footprint of a single trip can escalate rapidly.

“Luxury is more intensive in terms of resource consumption and often has a much higher impact on the environment,” explains Dr Rachel Dodds, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, director of Sustaining Tourism, and author of the of the book Are We There Yet?: Traveling More Responsibly with Your Children².

She adds, “This doesn’t mean that incentive travel cannot be more sustainable. There is always something that one can do to reduce the negative impacts of travel and we must all make an effort to shift the default towards more sustainable choices by choosing operators who have a solid track record in sustainability, but also by demanding better practices by those organisations which you do business with.”

By choosing sustainable operators and pressurising those that aren’t to become more sustainable, you can play an active role in helping to decarbonise the travel and tourism supply chain.

A PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT Being more sustainable not only makes sense from an ethical point of view; it also makes business sense in terms of preserving the beautiful destinations that are key assets in the incentive industry. “The travel and tourism sector has a big stake in decarbonisation because a destroyed planet serves no one’s purpose,” says Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.

It is also a growing trend among incentive clients. Daryl Keywood, MD of Walthers DMC, noted this in the destinations feature of Meetings Sept/Oct 2023, saying, “There is a genuine wish, especially from large corporates,

8 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#NETZERO

FIGURE 1 Above Split of tourism-related GHG emissions by industry (pre-pandemic) Graph and stats are taken from WTTC’s A net zero roadmap for travel & tourism to tread lightly and to be seen as sustainable, and more so than ever to leave some sort of legacy through corporate social responsibility.

We are seeing more clients seriously considering the ‘optics’ of what they are seen to be doing, leading decisions on what to include in programmes.”

Equally consumers are becoming more aware and concerned about their travel impacts.

WTTC’s A net zero roadmap for travel & tourism shares that 83% of global travellers think sustainable travel is vital, and 69% of global travellers expect the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options.

This data is based on Lenzen et al. 2018, Skift 2021, WRI 2018; adapted by Accenture 2021. The emission share has been updated for aviation by using the latest IATA’s Aviation and Climate Change Fact Sheet pre-pandemic estimates. Cruise was separated from water transport by conducting a bottom-up estimation based on sustainability reports. The chart includes shares of most contributing scope 3 emission sources (e.g. agriculture).

THE WORST OFFENDERS Other interesting statistics in the WTTC report highlight which aspects of travel and tourism have the biggest carbon impact. It makes sense to focus on these first, to rapidly reduce the carbon footprint of your incentive programmes.

Note: (1) Carbon intensity for economy cabin seats, (2) Average emissions intensity of the world’s largest cruise operator (low range) and emission intensity of the cruise ship class with the second highest intensity measure, (3) Averages of Measure 1 lower and upper quartile from Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index (CHSB) 2021, (4) While cruise is often considered as a transport-only industry, it provides accommodation and transportation services.

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FIGURE 2 Above

Carbon emissions from selected travel examples and overview of carbon intensity ranges Graph and stats are taken from WTTC’s A net zero roadmap for travel & tourism

THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

9

BEST PRACTICE

SO… WHAT NEXT? Reducing the carbon footprint of incentive trips requires a collaborative effort between all role players, to both offer and source the most sustainable options. Fortunately, most sub sectors are making strides in this regard and many travel brands are redefining luxury with sustainability top of mind. Here are just some examples of what is happening in this space – and what incentive planners can do to support these efforts.

AVIATION The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines and represents 83% of total air traffic. On 4 October 2021, IATA member airlines passed a resolution committing them to achieving net zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. This will largely be achieved by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. SAF is produced from waste fats, oils and greases, municipal solid waste, agricultural and forestry residues, wet wastes, and non-food crops, and its production captures carbon directly from the air.

Other ways the industry will reduce carbon emissions include offsets and carbon capture (where emissions cannot be eliminated at source), the use of new technology and more efficient fleets, and improved infrastructure and operational efficiencies.

To find out more visit www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/ WHAT INCENTIVE PLANNERS CAN DO To minimise the carbon footprint of your groups’ flights, consider the following options: • Choose destinations closer to where your group resides.

• Book non-stop flights, or at least the most direct route available. Google offers information on the least carbon intensive flight options.

• Choose airlines that have more modern fleets, as these tend to be more fuel efficient.

• Choose airlines that are using SAF. (Note: SAF is not available at scale yet, so the airlines using it currently only use a small amount.)

• Book economy class tickets, which have a lower CO2 footprint compared to business and first class.

• Encourage your guests to pack light and remove packaging before travel, as a lighter plane means reduced carbon emissions. One airline estimated that losing one pound (0.45 kg) in weight from every plane in its fleet would save 14 000 gallons (nearly 53 000 ℓ) of fuel a year!

Planners can support this by sharing a packing list and marking which essentials they will provide locally, such as reef-friendly sunscreen, etc. Dr Dodds also shares, “Japan is offering a boutique clothes rental option (anywearanywhere. store) which might be quite unique and very different.”

• Communicate with your group about any of the above sustainability steps you have taken, so they know about and are more likely to support your efforts.

ROAD TRANSPORT Unlike the aviation and cruise industries, South African operators using road travel are not united by a single association that is driving a net zero commitment. And while the Department of Transport is developing an action plan, the focus is broad and does not neatly align with the needs of these businesses specifically. This means the responsibility to transition to net zero often falls on individual companies, at least for now. The takeaway for planners? Do your homework and seek out partners who have done theirs.

WHAT INCENTIVE PLANNERS CAN DO To minimise the carbon footprint of your groups’ overland travel, consider the following tips: • Choose to partner with companies that are aligned with your sustainability goals.

• Request fuel efficient vehicles, or electric and hybrid vehices, that are the correct size for your group (i.e. don’t book a large bus for a small group).

• Choose companies that train their drivers to drive more fuel efficiently.

• Encourage your guests to pack light, as this lessens the load on the vehicle and its fuel use.

• Local is lekker, and it also creates less carbon than importing goods. When you plan stops on your route, Dr Dodds recommends selecting options that allow your group to consume locally, such as locally produced food and drinks, souvenirs, and other retail goods.

• Communicate with your group about what you are doing to be more sustainable, and why, to gain their buy-in.

10 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#SUSTAINBLE TRAVEL

CRUISE LINES Although cruise ships are only responsible for 0.6% of tourism’s greenhouse gas emissions, they perform poorly when you consider their CO2 emissions per passenger km – at 250-390g per passenger km, compared to flying at 77-90g!

Additionally, Dr Dodds draws attention to a report released by Nabu, a German environmental agency, that shares that cruise ships use fuel that is a residual of the petrol industry and therefore is especially dirty. At the same time, most cruise ships do not have a catalyst or a particulate filter to remove particulate matter from burning fuels, which means a mid-sized cruise ship can emit as much particulate as one million cars in a day.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) represents 95% of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity, as well as 54 000 travel agents, and 15 000 of the largest travel agencies in the world. CLIA members lines are aware of their need to clean up these stats and are pursuing net zero carbon cruising by 2050.

To achieve this, there is a big drive in finding alternative fuel sources, such as such as biofuels made from non-food biomass (plant material and animal waste); synthetic e-fuels such as e-methane and e-methanol; electric batteries; bio-LNG and/or synthetic LNG (Liquified Natural Gas, which achieves up to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions), methanol and hydrogen fuel cells, wind, and solar.

New ships are also being designed to be more fuel efficient, and to be able to plug into shoreside electricity, which allows ship engines to be switched off in port, reducing emissions by up to 98% depending on the mix of energy sources.

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To find out more, visit cruising.org/en/environmental-sustainability.

WHAT INCENTIVE PLANNERS CAN DO To minimise the carbon footprint of your groups’ cruise, consider these tips: •

• •

•

Choose a cruise line that is committed to improving its sustainability credentials, is transparent about how it does this, and reports on how effective their actions are.

Friends of the Earth publishes an easy-to-understand environmental report card on the different cruise lines and ships, and on the website foe.org/cruise-report-card/.

Choose a modern cruise liner that features many of the improved carbon reducing technologies available.

Recommend local businesses offering locally produced goods (e.g. food, alcohol, souvenirs, and other retail items) at each port destination, so that your group can support them rather than purchasing imported goods.

Communicate with your group about your sustainability choices, to both educate them and gain their buy-in.

ACCOMMODATION There has been a positive uptake of sustainability programmes at hotels, venues, and other forms of accommodation around the world, giving incentive planners an exciting range of choice, including in the luxury segment. However, because there is no single standard and a great deal of variability, it’s important to do your homework and ensure you are working with entities that can verify their sustainability credentials.

Only once you have exhausted all carbon reduction avenues, should you consider offsets.”

WHAT INCENTIVE PLANNERS CAN DO To minimise the carbon footprint of your groups’ accommodation, consider the following recommendations: • Choose eco-friendly establishments that are third-party certified (i.e. have been independently verified by a credible certification label). This guarantees the effectiveness of their sustainability programmes.

• Where certified properties are not an option, look for those properties that can demonstrate they are minimising their carbon footprint (e.g. use renewable energies, have energy efficient technology and systems, measure and report on their impact, etc.).

• Also consider the establishment’s commitment to reducing their waste output, as landfill waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

• Communicate with your group about why you chose their accommodation, and the sustainability benefits they are delivering by staying there.

THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

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BEST PRACTICE

FOOD AND BEVERAGE Contributing an estimated 9% of the tourism industry’s greenhouse gas emissions, food and beverage is another area where incentive planners can reduce their groups’ carbon footprint through choosing more sustainable options. Fortunately, many of our current food trends are tied into sustainability, such as eating local cuisines, supporting small scale local farmers, and enjoying more meat-free dishes.

WHAT INCENTIVE PLANNERS CAN DO To minimise the carbon footprint of F&B, choose establishments that practice or prioritise the following: • Serve local cuisines and dishes, using locally grown and seasonal ingredients.

• Source ingredients from nearby sustainable suppliers and farms.

• Offer several vegetarian and vegan dishes.

• Have a zero-waste ethos, as food waste is believed to responsible for as much as 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions (Environmental Protection Agency, 2022).

• Compost food waste, to divert it from landfill.

• Share with your group the carbon-lite benefits of the establishments you have selected, to help raise awareness and make them more conscious of their choices.

“The dog days of

summer are not just barking, they are biting.

Climate breakdown has begun.”

Lastly, and as a last resort, there are offsets.

The golden standard in striving to achieve net zero carbon emissions is, only once you have exhausted all carbon reduction avenues, should you consider offsets. They are the last step earmarked exclusively for those emissions that are unavoidable. Without this disclaimer, we run the risk of some businesses not making the necessary carbon reductions, at a time when our carbon absorbing capacity and technology is unable to cope with the scale of the challenge if left unchecked.

To ‘recycle’ the words of Anne-Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing net zero perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly – and offsetting what’s left.” Are you ready? 4

USEFUL RESOURCES ¹ You can download the WTTC’s A net zero roadmap for travel & tourism here: https://wttc.org/Portals/0/Documents/Reports/2021/WTTC_Net_Zero_Roadmap.pdf ² Dr Dodds book was recently nominated (again) for best gift award.

You can purchase it on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Are-There-Yet-Traveling-Responsibly/dp/1667844199/ Sustainable Tourism case studies: sustainabletourism.net/destinationcasestudies Carbon Conscious Travel Tips: sustainabletourism.net/sustainable-tourism/travel-tips/ Race to Zero: unfccc.int/climate-action/race-tozero-campaign The Global Sustainable Tourism Council: www.gstcouncil.org

12 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#SITE AFRICA

Trends & spends

IN INCENTIVE TRAVEL

SITE Africa chairperson Tes Proos and member Kathy Lavery weigh in with their insights into the state of incentive travel from a local perspective.

T

he local incentive travel industry continues to adapt to shifting trends, client preferences, and external factors.

Sustainability, destination preferences, and budget management remain key considerations, while challenges such as government regulations and global conflicts are also having an impact on the incentive travel landscape.

MARKET SHARE South Africa has lost a huge amount of market share to East Africa, which is most likely due to our government’s very strict approach to Covid-19.

At the same time, pipeline inquiries have seen a decrease and conversion rates are low – but there is a silver lining in the form of an upswing in short-notice request for proposals (RFPs) from Central and Eastern Europe.

Aside from the US long-haul market, there also appears to be a last-minute anticipation to see where budgets go, which could yield more opportunities.

OUT-BOUND DESTINATIONS Despite being a budget sensitive market and typically interested in visa-free destinations, Europe’s allure remains strong. The market also wants as little pack and unpack as possible, so we are finding that “fly in and fly out” destinations are preferred for their convenience.

SUSTAINABILITY & CSR Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities are no longer being requested for MICE events.

However, sustainable programmes, practices, and destinations are garnering increased interest, as organisations have a growing awareness of their carbon footprint and environmental impact and are looking for ways to mitigate this.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMMES Typically, incentives are being done as pure

www.theplannerguru.co.za

incentives with no requests for a half-day conference despite the tax benefits this confers.

Team building is also not a common request for outbound programmes and is usually reserved for local, close-to-home programmes, if at all.

The length of stay for most incentive programmes is still around five to seven nights, and gifting and room drops continue to be popular.

BUDGETS Budgets have remained seemingly unchanged for several years, while client expectations, particularly regarding hotel categories, experiential offerings, and gifting options, have also remained steady.

When budgets are constrained, the length of stay is usually reduced, or more free time and time for shopping is introduced into the programme.

All-inclusive is still king for this market, for pocke-free incentives and to alleviate the dreaded daily bar bills. We’ve even seen requests for resort style concepts in destinations where all-inclusive is not an option, such as city stays in Cairo and Istanbul.

Clients are also asking for more lenient cancellation and reduction terms, which is hard for suppliers to meet – especially local safari lodges, which cannot easily re-sell rooms with short notice cancellations.

Another notable trend is that budget indications are frequently absent, even when requested. Industry professionals are left without any clear guidance, which makes it incredibly challenging to deliver an option that matches a client’s expectations and needs.

the market and will likely see more decisions being driven by cost concerns.

In this ever-evolving landscape, flexibility and proactive strategies will be essential for industry professionals to meet the demands of their clients. However, talent attraction and retention, as well as the growth of the hybrid workforce, are driving a greater appreciation of the incentives industry and should see it remain a priority among corporates in the coming years. 4

MEET TES PROOS & KATHY LAVERY Tes Proos serves as president of the Africa chapter of SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Excellence), the only global association dedicated to the development of incentive travel programmes.

She is also chairperson of the SA Events Council and founded Crystal Events Africa in 2008 – a Cape Town based African destination management company.

Kathy Lavery is the business development manager at Euromic, which is also a member of SITE. She has been in the MICE industry for 20 years, specialising in sales and marketing incentive travel and luxury products to the South African wholesale, MICE and PCO trade.

LOOKING FORWARD The new conflict in the Middle East may well have a big impact in the immediate future. At the same time, rising fuel costs also mean rising production and travel costs, which is not helping

THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

13

A WARM WELCOME TO THE PLAINS OF AFRICA. 6HW DJDLQVW WKH EDFNGURS RI WKH PDJQL¿FHQW :DWHUEHUJ 0RXQWDLQ 5DQJH LQ WKH /LPSRSR 3URYLQFH D PHUH WZR KRXUV¶ GULYH IURP -RKDQQHVEXUJ 7KH H[TXLVLWH EHDXW\ RI LWV ZLGH RSHQ VDYDQQDKV %LJ 5 and spectacular vistas is an idyllic melting pot for a majestic wilderness destination.

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60-seat (theatre style) conference venue ideal for: • Executive strategy meetings • Intimate conferences • Team buildings • Intimate product launches

INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za 14 • THE TEL: +27 (0)11 516 4367 | RES@EXTRAORDINARY.CO.ZA

CONSERVATION INITIATIVES 0DEXOD 3ULYDWH *DPH 5HVHUYH LV D KD VTXDUH NLORPHWUH ZLOGHUQHVV DUHD GHGLFDWHG to conservation. As part of our ongoing species conservation projects this reserve has three separate areas including two areas that do not have lion. Some of these projects include the EWT FKHHWDK PHWDSRSXODWLRQ JURZWK LQLWLDWLYH D ZRUOG renowned ground hornbill project and several other important initiatives.

0DEXOD 3ULYDWH *DPH 5HVHUYH KDV EHHQ WKH KRPH RI WKH DZDUG ZLQQLQJ 0DEXOD *URXQG +RUQELOO 3URMHFW VLQFH 7KLV QRQ SUR¿W conservation project is working to save these iconic but endangered species by harvesting and assisting the hand-rearing of second-hatched chicks that would otherwise die of starvation in ZLOG QHVWV 5H ZLOGLQJ RI WKH KDQG UHDUHG FKLFNV by established groups in bush training schools.

3URYLVLRQ RI DUWL¿FLDO QHVWV IRU ZLOG JURXSV ZLWK QR or inadequate nests.

0DEXOD 3ULYDWH *DPH 5HVHUYH LV SDUW RI D SURMHFW coordinated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust that seeks to reintroduce cheetah to areas where they KDYH EHHQ GULYHQ RXW E\ FRQÀLFW IURP IDUPHUV as well as one of the biggest wildlife challenges WRGD\ KDELWDW ORVV 7KH SURMHFW LV FDOOHG WKH cheetah metapopulation management project and is based on the principle that the cheetah occurring in different areas of southern Africa LV VHHQ DV RQH ELJ SRSXODWLRQ ZLWK QLQH JDPH reserves working together in this initiative and offspring are moved around to prevent inbreeding.

Working closely with the Waterberg Wild Dog ,QLWLDWLYH ::', 0DEXOD 3ULYDWH *DPH 5HVHUYH is proud to have a successful introduction of African wild dog call the reserve home. Welcoming WKH ¿UVW OLWWHU RI SXSV LQ 7KH ::', LV D FRPPXQLW\ EDVHG QRQ SUR¿W LQLWLDWLYH VHHNLQJ WR conserve the wild dogs that occur naturally in the Waterberg biosphere.

www.theplannerguru.co.za

THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 • WWW.SAFARIPLAINS.CO.ZA

15

INCENTIVE PROGRAMMES

Enhance your incentive programme in 2024 and beyond But what do these recommendations look like ‘in real life’? We spoke to Nicci Lenferna de la Motte, director and groups specialist at Pulse Africa, for real-life examples to illustrate how these tips can be applied, creatively and effectively!

THE AMALFI COAST, ITALY

TIP #2 Focus on ‘Who’

Are you wondering what the future of incentive programmes look like?

Like this…

COMMUNICATE BETTER AND OFTEN

B

usiness travel is undergoing a transformation post-Covid, thanks to a multitude of factors such as budget cuts, climate change, remote work, shifting priorities, and more. So says the ibtm World Incentive Travel Report 2023, available for free download on www.ibtmworld.com.

Incentive planners have had to be quick to adapt to this ‘new normal’ and adjust their offering accordingly. In the same ibtm World report, US-based incentive travel house Brightspot summarises their top six tips to enhance any incentive travel scheme as follows:

3

Have a comprehensive communication strategy including teasers, regular updates, themed kick off kits, essential travel tips, luggage tags, the programme details, the qualifying rules, etc. – all to keep your scheme top-of-mind.

4

AUTHENTICITY IS KEY Authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences are the stuff memories are made of. Think rum tasting in Jamaica, grape stomping and making your own wine in Sonoma, or folklore and fairy tours in Ireland.

5

DELIVER THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR Aim to provide experiences that guests RE-THINK THE ‘WHY’ OF INCENTIVE TRAVEL wouldn’t be able to organise themselves, such as Revisit your travel programme to ensure it still dinner and a Broadway show in New York with a aligns with today’s corporate priorities, as well as backstage tour and the chance to meet whether the qualifying rules and teams still apply, the performers. and so forth.

INCLUDE DESTINATION-BASED GIFTS FOCUS ON ‘WHO’ Destination-based gifts that have been Don’t lose focus on the target of the handcrafted by local artisans are great ‘pillow incentive – the people you are trying to gifts’, tying into the themes of sustainability motivate, engage or reward. and authenticity.

1

2

6

Nicci says, “In a world where office hours have become a thing of the past, people are working tirelessly, often around the clock. It’s no surprise that they value not just the opportunity to experience a new destination but also some much-needed ‘down time’. Incentive programs should allow for a healthy balance, ensuring that participants have the opportunity to recharge and relax.”

With this in mind, Nicci decided to keep the group in one hotel for four nights instead of doing 1-night stops throughout the trip. This decision made all the difference in the programme, as it gave the participants the opportunity to slow down and settle into the destination.

Flexibility was also key for Nicci’s qualifiers, so she made a point of scheduling in some leisure time. The delegates loved having the freedom to choose how they spent it. Some went shopping, others explored the coastline by kayak, a few soaked up the sun on the beach with a picnic, and some ventured off to explore Pompeii independently. For those who wanted a quieter experience, the option to relax at the hotel and enjoy a massage was also available.

By offering diverse leisure activity options, you can ensure that every participant finds something that speaks to their interests and needs.

Tip #5

Deliver the ‘Wow’ factor “In the world of incentive travel, it’s essential to get creative and discover unique ways to deliver that ‘wow’ factor to the experiences on offer,” agrees Nicci. Nicci included the following exciting experiences in the Amalfi Coast programme, to give guests a far-above-average experience: Chauffeur scooters: Rather than navigating the narrow coastal roads on a tour bus, participants had the opportunity to explore the coastline on chauffeur-driven scooters. This thrilling adventure allowed them to feel the wind in their hair and immerse themselves in the picturesque surroundings, making the journey itself an unforgettable part of the experience.

Hidden-gem restaurants: One of the hallmarks

16 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#CASESTUDIES

of the trip was the discovery of charming, off-the-beaten-path locales. These dining establishments offered delectable local cuisine, which the area is famed for, and an intimate and authentic ambiance.

Private yacht excursion: To infuse a sense of luxury and exclusivity, a private yacht excursion was arranged. Participants dined on board while enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery. As the sun set over the Mediteranean, the yacht transformed into a dance floor with a disco, creating unforgettable moments under the starlit sky.

Formal farewell dinner in a 13th century tower: The trip culminated in a formal dinner held on the rooftop of a 13th-century tower.

This historic setting offered panoramic views, creating a magical atmosphere. As the night progressed, the experience took a twist as participants descended into the tower’s dungeon for dancing and celebration.

“These experiences in the Amalfi Coast highlighted the importance of focusing on what the destination has to offer. By curating activities and excursions that showcase the region’s distinctive features, this incentive trip achieved a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and luxury,” adds Nicci.

GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA

Tip #4 Authenticity is key

Nicci says, “The Gorilla trekking experience proved to be a resounding success with the group, not merely because it’s a life-altering encounter, but also due to the array of unexpected, authentic surprises that Rwanda had to offer.” www.theplannerguru.co.za

Gorilla trekking: The focal point of the trip was, of course, the awe-inspiring Gorilla trekking adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime encounter has a lasting impact on participants, highlighting the power of authentic, nature-based experiences.

Exploring on Boda Bodas: Participants were also treated to the thrill of riding on Boda Bodas, the local motorbike taxis. This allowed them to immerse themselves in the local way of life, experience the vibrant streets, and savour the unfiltered beauty of the region.

Browing local markets: The trip also included excursions to bustling local markets where participants could engage with the local community, sample traditional cuisine, and shop for unique souvenirs.

Genuine shebeen experience: An unmissable highlight was the shebeen experience.

Participants had the opportunity to enjoy the lively nightlife scene, engaging with the local culture, music, and hospitality.

Nicci adds, “By focusing on authentic experiences unique to the destination, this incentive trip to Rwanda exceeded expectations.

It showcased the incredible impact of designing a programme that goes beyond the usual tourist attractions and delves into the heart and soul of the location.

“These genuine experiences not only left a lasting impression but also created a powerful incentive for future trips, inspiring participants to reach their targets so they can explore more authentic corners of the world.” 4 THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

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EVENT MARKETING

CREATE THE BEST IMPRESSION WITH

FLAVOURS TO SAVOUR Barmotion’s menu is as versatile as their customisable bars, catering to warm and cold weather, as well as the health-conscious and the sweet-toothed and those somewhere in-between. Choose from popular F&B options such as: Bubble tea, Coffee, Crepe, Crush, Frozen yoghurt, Gelato, Hot chocolate, Milkshake, Pizza, Popcorn, Raw juice, Smoothie, Soft serve, Soup, Sushi, Waffle & Wrap.

“We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality products for every event we are at,” adds Alexia.

Barmotion is a trusted name in the events industry, with a 12-year track record of service excellence and marketing mastery.

Read on to discover its offering and varied applications.

A

re you looking for ways to cut through the marketing ‘noise’ your target audience must face and filter at busy events, and instead offer a novel way to draw them to you? A way to get them to pause and connect with your brand in a more personal way?

Barmotion has designed and refined a hospitality marketing service that does this perfectly. The company’s customisable and fully branded mobile bars serve up a range of enticing treats to attract potential leads into your space. From there, your team can engage with them, person-to-person, while the Barmotion crew delivers excellent service and warm hospitality.

Because the bars are fully branded, your messaging is reinforced throughout the guest’s experience. Alexia Swart, founder and owner of Barmotion, explains, “Humans crave interactions and experiences – this is what we give them, whist delivering the targeted message of our clients through our branding platforms. Our mobile bars become an extension of your brand and allow us to promote your business while you focus on building relationships with your targeted audience.”

Aside from the bar counters, other brandable items include staff uniforms, the menus, the coffee cup sleeves… even the coffee!

COUNTLESS APPLICATIONS There are a variety of ways to implement Barmotion’s customer engagement strategy, such as: • on your exhibition stands, to attract a higher footfall • at your events, as both a marketing and hospitality solution – for example at golf days, wellness days, product launches, brand activations, road shows, and conferences • part of a sponsorship package at conferences, exhibitions, and events, giving sponsors a fully-fledged marketing platform and significant brand exposure • a staff appreciation reward at your offices • a talent recruitment tool at universities.

12 YEARS GOING AND GROWING With a 12-year track record of delivering delicious experiences, Barmotion has become a trusted name for below-the-line marketing campaigns. “We take the stress out of activations. Our onsite team oversees the complete bar set-up, management, and break-down, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients. Plus, we understand the importance of making an exceptional first impression – and we take this seriously!” adds Alexia.

Barmotion recently expanded its operations into the UK, where its solution has been eagerly embraced by the local industry. This means the company is well-positioned to also facilitate UK and European based events. 4

18 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#CONSERVATION

YOUR #1 HOSPITALITY SERVICE PROVIDER

WHY CHOOSE 1.

Over 12 years’ industry experience

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Reliable and professional service

3.

A seamless experience, from set-up to break-down

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Industry-leading equipment for professional results

5.

High-quality ingredients

6.

A diverse menu offering

7.

Unique event solutions, including the promise that any client requests that can be done, will be done!

8.

Strong CSI ethos, which sees excess stock going to homes in the area that care for the elderly and mentally disabled (among other initiatives)

9.

Event greening is practiced in terms of supporting local businesses and suppliers, disposing of all waste

Energise and personalise your events with genuine, brand-centred hospitality from Barmotion. We have the perfect hospitality solution – from coffee bars to pop-up sushi stands – creating those all-important engaging interactions and connections. www.theplannerguru.co.za

responsibly, offering carbon offsets, and using compostable cups and service ware.

0861 937 625 www.barmotion.co.za info@barmotion.co.za THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

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SCAD freefall at the Soweto Towers is a controlled 70 m freefall.

INCENTIVE PROGRAMMES

TownshipHOSPITALITY

&

TOURISM ECONOMY

Township tourism can present interesting opportunities for incentive travel, especially considering the burgeoning trend for authentic experiences and responsible tourism.

T

here are over 532 townships in South Africa, which are home to an estimated 40% of the population. In the past, most travellers and even many South Africans would rarely set foot in a township due to their reputation as unsafe for outsiders. Township tourism is changing this, turning these historically segregated and marginalised communities into vibrant and welcoming destinations to experience South African art, culture, history, food, adventure, and more.

CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES WHERE MOST NEEDED Developing tourism in townships is expected to fuel much-needed economic opportunities, with unemployment affecting roughly half of township residents. For example, Gauteng Provincial Government has identified the tourism and hospitality sector as one of ten high growth sectors that the Gauteng Township Economic Development Act (TEDA, 2000) will prioritise.

TEDA has developed a legal and regulatory framework to support the growth of township businesses owned by Gauteng residents, and funding has been made available – with an initial R850 million cash injection coming from the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, Industrial Development Corporation, SA SME Fund, and Standard Bank.

Soweto resident and serial entrepreneur Bheki “Ma-events” Twala is (among other roles) founder and president of the Township Economic Commission SA (TECSA) non-profit company.

He is working hard to change the way that townships and their economies are viewed, and says, “We don’t regard ourselves as small

and micro enterprises. The terms ‘small’ and ‘medium’ carry a stigma, and we want to remove this limiting idea. We are emerging entrepreneurs.”

Bheki was instrumental in bringing the BRICS delegation to Soweto just ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit. He says, “For the first time in history, we brought BRICS to the township and created our own table to be involved in discussions about how to take the future of the township economy forward.”

Bringing ministers and ambassadors to the township on an official visit proves just how much attitudes have changed in recent years – and is paving the way for a more integrated society in South Africa.

AUTHENTICITY IS KING Travellers are attracted to townships for many reasons. Responsible tourism is gaining traction, so many tourists are seeking ways to ensure their spend has a positive impact on their destination. Another big trend is the quest for authenticity – tourists want to experience South Africa as the locals do, and to gain an understanding of what makes the country unique and special. After all, nowhere else in the world can you sip umqombothi (a traditional Nguni beer) at a shebeen while listening to marabi music, eat skopo (also known as “smiley” for reasons that become apparent when you sit down to eat a whole cooked sheep’s head), or visit the homes of South African struggle icons while learning about the history of apartheid from people who lived through it.

These kinds of authentic experiences are critical in the “new breed of incentive

programmes”, states the IBTM World’s 2023 Trends Report. It shares that a study commissioned by GetYourGuide found 67% of Millennials and almost half of Generation Z worry that their travel experiences aren’t authentic – that they are not getting to experience a destination as the locals do, to connect with the local culture, and have meaningful experiences.

Alex Wrottesley, the MICE Manager at Into Africa, says they have had requests for township activities in their clients’ programmes. “Generally, clients who are interested in investing time in their programme to experience a township want to have a deeper understanding of South Africa and its history, but the narrative changes from group to group. Activities vary from township tours to experiences that are more legacy focused, and which provide a deeper and more holistic engagement with communities,” she shares.

AN ETHICAL QUESTION As ‘real’ experiences and responsible considerations continue to drive travel agendas, there are some potential barriers to the development of township tourism. For example, a lack of infrastructure could inhibit growth, while concerns around safety can deter potential visitors – as do concerns about turning poverty into a tourist attraction.

This last point is a polarising one. Some people feel that touring townships and taking photos of people living below the breadline is ethically questionable. Alex says that some of her clients simply feel uncomfortable with the idea of doing these tours. However, others argue that if done correctly, tourists can help to empower these

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#TOWNSHIPTOURISM people – rather than ignoring them and only visiting the destinations that are shielded from South Africa’s poverty problem.

Ultimately, what determines which argument ‘wins’ is less about these opinions and more about the community in question. If a township community is involved and empowered in the tourism offerings being presented, and the community is happy with inviting outsiders into their space in this way, then it can be a hugely positive experience for everyone involved. And so, a key piece of advice when seeking any township tourism activity is to ask who runs the business, and how do they engage with the community to ensure the benefits of their business are passed on to the residents and the relationship is a positive one.

SAFETY FIRST “While safety and security concerns are valid, they should not deter visitors from experiencing the unique and authentic

www.theplannerguru.co.za

experiences that township tourism offers,” says Ndodana Hadebe, Bheki’s colleague as regional chairman of the TECSA Western Cape, as well as chairman of the Western Cape Entrepreneurs Forum and founder and CEO of Ndoxy Group.

He strongly recommends that any township experience should be facilitated by a reputable and experienced tour operator; “Tour operators are familiar with the local area and can provide guidance on safe areas to visit. They can also arrange for transportation and accommodations that meet the required safety standards, and they can provide guidance on cultural norms and customs to ensure respect for the local community.”

He adds, “It’s also important for visitors to be aware of their surroundings at all times and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

This includes being mindful of personal belongings and avoiding unfamiliar or isolated areas.” Again, tour operators can provide guidelines and reminders here, during tours, to help keep visitors safe.

Lastly, Ndodana notes that, as when travelling to any destination, visitors need to stay informed about local conditions and events that may affect their safety. This can be done by checking with local authorities, tour operators, and news sources before and during their visit.

IN CONCLUSION Ultimately, every incentive trip has its own focus and agenda, and a township tour might not fit this. But where it does and can, the value to both the visitors and the townships being visited is undeniable.

Maboneng Township Arts Experience is successfully creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people.

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INCENTIVE PROGRAMMES

TOWNSHIP TOURISM HIGHLIGHTS

JOHANNESBURG

SOWETO Soweto is one of South Africa’s most iconic townships. Having started out as a mining township, it grew into the heart of political resistance in South Africa, and to this day Soweto continues to be at the forefront of township culture and economy.

Guided tours are a popular way to explore Soweto’s landmarks. Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers (sowetobackpackers.com) offers options on foot, bike, or tuk tuk, as well as experiences such as storytelling sessions around the fire, and food and cooking experiences.

Vilakazi Street is a must-visit on these tours, being the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize laureates once lived – Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Today, the street has several thriving locally owned restaurants, bars, and retailers.

Other popular stops include Mandela House (Nelson Mandela’s home, mandelahouse.com), the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial, while the Apartheid Museum is often added-on being in the neighbouring suburb of Ormonde.

Coffeebean Routes (coffeebeansroutes.com) says, “There is so much heritage and history to Soweto, that often the fact that it is current and contemporary and modern, the fact that it has a future, is totally overlooked.” For this reason, they have designed a Soweto Futures tour that shares the extraordinary stories about the Soweto that is being shaped as you read this.

Adventure-seekers are spoilt for choice at the Soweto Towers (sowetotowers.co.za), which offers 360-degree views of Soweto, climbing walls, paintball, base jumping, bungee jumping, and SCAD freefall. Meanwhile golf lovers can also get a round in at the Soweto Country Club & Golf Course (sowetocountryclub.co.za), the only golf course located in a township in South Africa.

CAPE TOWN

LANGA Langa is South Africa’s oldest township and celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023. Tourists can visit Langa Quarter, a lively market brimming with traditional African crafts and foods, as well as several museums and monuments which offer insight into the culture and history of the area. Meanwhile, Guga S’ Thebe Cultural Centre (capetown.gov.za) offers guided tours of the Langa township, as well as cultural performances and workshops.

It has three venues which can accommodate groups of between 80 to 200 people.

Sivewe Tours (siviwetours.com) is owned, run, and staffed by Langa locals. They incorporate cultural entertainment into their tours, including traditional music and gumboot dancing through an after-school programme called Happy Feet Youth Project.

The award-winning Maboneng Township Arts Experience (maboneng.com) tours showcase the creative talents of Langa residents.

Guests can visit gallery homes (and purchase artworks on display), tour the graffiti route, and unleash their own creativity with art and music workshops.

KHAYELITSHA As one of the largest neighbourhoods and having a diverse heritage, there is something for everyone in Khayelitsha, from traditional African clothing to contemporary art. It is also home to the first boutique hotel and spa in a township, the Spade Boutique Hotel (thespadeboutiquehotel.co.za).

The 18 Gangster Museum (18gm.co.za) is another first of its kind in Africa, as a living museum to help South African youth to better understand gangsterism and offer a positive alternative. The museum’s installations are curated by ex-offenders who share their real-life experiences of gangsterism and prison and how they turned their lives around.

Khayelitsha Tours (khayelitshatravel.com) is locally owned and operated, and offers township tours in Cape Town, focusing on Khayelitsha

The Coffeebeans Routes specialises in SMME tourism business development.

township’s culture and heritage. Visitors can choose from a range of options including food tours and cultural performances.

Much like the Soweto Futures tour, Coffeebeans Routes also offers a Capetonian version, reframing perceptions of what a township is with facts such as Khayelitsha is the fastest growing suburb in the country, with a large middle class.

Another popular Coffeebeans Routes tour is the Cape Town Jazz Safari, where visitors visit the home of a local jazz musician to share a meal with them, with music and conversation, followed by a nightcap and more music at either another musician’s house or a jazz venue.

However, these tours traverse most of Cape Town, so do not always take part in Langa or Khayelitsha – you will need to check this on enquiry.

DURBAN

UMLAZI South Africa’s fourth biggest township and home to 410 000 people, Umlazi is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant community life, and diverse traditions. Some of its popular township tours include the Umlazi Shebeen Route, Lamontville Liberation Route, Hostel Experience Route, Muthi Market Experience, and Engonyameni Cultural Experience Tour, among others – as well as the option for tailor-made itineraries.

The Inanda Heritage Route (visitdurban.travel) is worth a special mention. It includes many historically significant sites, such as the home of Mahatma Gandhi, and the Ohlange Institute which honours the founder of the African National Congress, Dr Langalibalele Dube. This is also where the late former President Nelson Mandela cast his first democratic vote.

Umlazi is also known for its bustling nightlife with a mix of outlets to satisfy any kind of entertainment enthusiast. The upmarket Max Lifestyle (maxslifestyle.co.za) is especially popular with tourists and locals alike. 4

South Africa AN INCENTIVE

FOCUS

Offering a world of cultural, natural and historical diversity, South Africa is the ideal destination for hosting top-class incentive group travel experiences. Our destinctive wildlife, world-class service providers, and luxury amenities ensure a winning experience … memorable for delegates and hassle-free for incentive organisers.

Book your next incentive travel experience in South Africa!

/www.southafrica.net

DESTINATIONS

ELEVATING DESTINATION

SATSA CEO David Frost shares some of the most promising opportunities that SATSA is embracing to grow South Africa’s tourist arrivals and the industry at large.

T

he recent announcement that BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) will include six more countries presents a windfall for South African tourism. As Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates prepare to join on 1 January 2024, we can look forward to benefits that will increase South Africa’s appeal to business and leisure travellers.

BRICS members have already committed to working together to improve air connectivity, and this could potentially lead to broader advancements in the aviation sector, such as the development of state-of-the-art airports, the exchange of technological innovations, and collaboration on joint projects.

Already, we have seen Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates investing significantly in their respective aviation industries.

One of South Africa’s pressing needs is an optimised eVisa system to streamline visits from

source markets. The BRICS expansion is anticipated to foster improved and expedited visa processes, enhancing travel fluidity among member countries. This ease of access will help elevate South Africa as a prime destination.

Additionally, the proposed BRICS entrepreneur visa, still under discussion and supported by our government, promises to invigorate trade among member countries.

These important developments will, however, take time, and in the interim, we are grateful for the key role that our international trade partners continue to play in promoting South Africa and educating travellers about our country.

SATSA also continues to be proactive, fostering relationships with the trade, while our private sector continues to work closely with trade partners in our key markets, running their own promotional initiatives. Where we would like to see more alignment, however, is between the private and public sectors to ensure one clear

marketing message to the world. To this end, collaboration and dialogue are imperative.

ENHANCING BUSINESS & LEISURE OFFERINGS Despite challenges like loadshedding and inflation affecting business travel trends, the latest Corporate Traveller report indicates that while travel bookings have seen a marginal decline, business travellers are extending their stays (room nights are up by 88%) and spending more.

They are staying longer to achieve more in one trip and opting for an upgraded experience – booking business class flights and upmarket accommodation.

The report also shows that domestic flights spending rose by 151%, international flights by 112%, local car rentals by 62%, and international car rentals by 224%.

This trend presents an opportunity to amplify MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) with other key offerings available

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#SATSA MEET DAVID FROST David Frost is the CEO of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA).

With an impressive 21 years of experience in tourism strategy at an executive level, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Trained as an economist, David’s career began with the COSATU trade union movement before he joined The Premier Group in 1994. During his tenure at The Premier Group, he advanced to the position of head of Corporate Strategy and served as a director on the boards of Premier Food Industries and Sodexho.

In 2001, David established his own bespoke consultancy, known as the Tourism Strategy Company. Over the years, he has provided extensive consultancy services to leading private sector companies and developed destination strategies for several countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

In addition to his role at SATSA, David is also a director on the boards of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and the Tourism Conservation Fund. He was appointed to the board of South African Tourism by Minister Hanekom in March 2019. He has been at the helm of SATSA since September 2013.

Despite challenges like loadshedding and inflation affecting business travel trends, the latest Corporate Traveller report indicates that while travel bookings have seen a marginal decline, business travellers are extending their stays (room nights are up by 88%) and spending more” in South Africa such as golf, gastronomy, and leisure and adventure activities, particularly for team building events.

On the leisure travel front, South Africa’s diverse landscapes, cultural richness, world-renowned safaris, seamless inter-city air travel, and celebrated culinary and wine regions are unique drawcards that must be central to our marketing efforts. By promoting inter-provincial travel and curated combination packages, we can entice tourists to immerse themselves deeper into the South African experience – leveraging ‘a world in one country’ to the fullest.

We must also accentuate adventure tourism to position South Africa as a premier global adventure destination. Our wealth of activities, from Big 5 safaris and shark-cage diving to canopy tours, can be helpful in targeting the younger demographic with their growing spending power. SATSA is currently developing toolkits to ensure the adventure tourism sector upholds the highest standards of safety and excellence to provide peace of mind to travellers while encouraging the segment to thrive.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES WITH SOLUTIONS The South African unemployment rate remains a grave concern, and is particularly devastating when contrasted with Germany, for example,

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where the tourism and hospitality sectors are struggling with staff shortages and the country is looking to foreign labour. Recognising the need to prioritise skills development, SATSA collaborated with Sigma International two years ago to establish the tourism business incubator.

Our initiative provides mentorship to start-ups and emerging businesses with training in financial management, marketing strategy support, and digital branding, among other areas, to guide these enterprises towards sustainable growth.

As we strive towards achieving our pre-Covid visitor metrics, recovery and growth must be coupled with an emphasis on inclusivity. The benefits of tourism must be felt across local communities and local businesses; historically marginalised groups must be empowered to participate in and benefit from the tourism value chain. By hiring, training, and sourcing products and services locally, we can all play our part.

In this way, our collective endeavours will go beyond positioning South Africa as a premier destination for business and leisure travellers; beyond strengthening our global reputation. Our work together will shape an inclusive and sustainable future for our country. 4

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INCENTIVE DESTINATIONS

TOP DESTINATIONS FOR LOCAL INCENTIVE PLANNERS

Thank you to SITE Africa, SAACI, and SATSA for sharing our trending destinations survey with their members – and thank you to those who responded! Find out which outbound and inbound destinations they voted for and why.

OUTBOUND DESTINATIONS “South African outbound incentives trends are still seeing visa-free destinations as preferred places of interest, with as little pack and unpack as possible, and budget friendly due to exchange rates. All-inclusive resorts are also still a firm favourite for pocket-free travel,” says Kathy Lavery, business development manager at Euromic.

Despite these preferences, many groups are still opting to travel to destinations where visas are required, proving that the allure of a good destination can overcome some inconveniences.

For example, Kathy’s three most popular outbound destinations include Turkey, Italy, and Paris.

EGYPT Gill Dewar, owner of MICE Cubed, shares that Egypt has been the most popular destination with her clients this year. Aside from the many unique historic and cultural attractions the country offers, it also has some intriguing landscapes to explore such as the Siwa Oasis, the Bahariya Oasis, the White Desert, and the Black Desert. Gill says that direct flights and value-for-money make Egypt very appealing for group bookings.

TURKEY “Istanbul is easily accessible with frequent direct flights from South Africa. eVisas are inexpensive and quick and easy to arrange,” says Kathy.

She adds that the destination has a rich offering that will appeal to a variety of tastes and preferences; “It’s a fantastic combinable destination that pairs well with the gorgeous beaches and exciting nightlife in Bodrum, or fascinating ruins and glorious beaches of Antalya. Even Cappadocia, with it’s unique, Instagram-worthy, bucket list fairy chimneys and underground cities is an enticing destination, with the bonus that both are fabulous to visit in both winter and summer.”

ITALY Some destinations never go out of fashion, and Italy is certainly one with enduring appeal. Famed for its wide breadth of tourism offerings, Kathy shares that Italy also has a range of options for different budgets. “We’ve been quoting awesome city and coast combinations of Rome and Sorrento, luxurious Venice and Positano, and Palermo and Cefalu to suit the budget conscious,” she says.

FRANCE “The Rugby World Cup saw streams of proposals and quick conversions for groups that already purchased tickets and needed land programmes to accompany their rugby games,” notes Kathy.

Much like Italy, Fance is also an iconic destination for those with wanderlust, with its well-developed tourism offering encompassing history, culture, food and wine, art, adventure, scenic beauty, and romantic charm.

ZANZIBAR Closer to home is Gill’s second most popular incentive destination, Zanzibar. FlySafair offers 3 ½ hour direct flights from Johannesburg to Zanzibar, and South African citizens have visa-free access to the island archipelago, making it incredibly accessible. Paired with its beautiful beaches and balmy sunny weather, it’s a perfect island paradise.

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#TRENDING

Gill adds that Zanzibar is trending with several new hotels. The new-hotels-guide.com reports on 20 new properties that have opened in the past year. These include several 5-star options such as the Ycona Luxury Resort in Dikon, The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town in Zanzibar City, and the Kwanza Resort by SUNRISE in Kizimkazi.

DUBAI Another destination favoured by Gill’s clients is Dubai, with its direct flights and choice of activities once there. The city is known for its technological and architectural marvels and has plenty of glamorous high-end resorts with accessible desert experiences as an alternative.

Dubai is also famed for exceptional service, safety and security, and great shopping and entertainment opportunities.

DESTINATION TRENDS The Incentive Travel Index (ITI) is the business events industry’s most authoritative study of the global incentive travel market and its impact on corporations, agencies, and the supply chain in destinations. It is a joint initiative of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and is undertaken in partnership with Oxford Economics.

Here are some of the insights of the 2023 edition; Changing destination types The following percentages represent the number of buyers (out of 555 respondents) who are seeing an increasing use of these types of destinations: • New destinations – 71% • All-inclusive resorts – 53% • Resorts – 46% • High profile / long-established – 43% • Shorter distance from participant origin – 41% Activities key to a successful programme The following percentages represent the number of respondents (out of 1 713 respondents) who regard the activity indicated as important for a successful incentive travel programme:

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Group cultural sightseeing experiences – 60% Activities that promote relationshipbuilding – 58% Group dining experiences – 57% Luxury travel experiences/ bucket list – 53% Team-building activities – 43% Multiple options aimed at smaller groups – 43% Award celebrations – 41% Free time – 39% Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – 35% Activities promoting wellness – 32% Meetings – 25% Shopping experiences – 14%

Changing programme considerations The percentage of respondents (out of a total of 546) perceive the following considerations as increasingly important: • Perceived as safe from a crime/threat perspective – 72% • Cost – 71% • Perceived as safe from health perspective – 58% • ESG – 50% • Presence of a good DMC – 50% • Strong diversity, equity, inclusion culture in destination – 45% • Lower carbon footprint – 41% • Presence of a good DMO – 31% Download the full Index from www.incentiveindex.com.

BRAZIL & ARGENTINA Lastly, Gill says that Brazil and Argentina are becoming more popular among South African groups, with the resumption of the LATAM flight between São Paulo Guarulhos airport in Brazil to OR Tambo in Johannesburg. The airline is Latin America’s leading airline group, and now flies the new route three times a week on a Boeing 787-900 aircraft which seats 300 passengers.

The route is expected to carry about 75 000 passengers a year.

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INCENTIVE DESTINATIONS

INBOUND DESTINATIONS When it comes to the most popular destinations in South Africa this year, there are no big surprises, with Cape Town and Kruger National Park coming in at the top two spots.

CAPE TOWN Alex Wrottesley, the MICE manager at Into Africa DMC, says that Cape Town ticks many boxes, such as good value for money, a variety of activities, and good quality food and beverage.

To this Rushdie Harper, MD of Wow Travel & Tours, adds that it also boasts a wide range of team building activities, and trips can be combined with the Garden Route which “offers hiking with spectacular views, water sports, world class golf estates, and an abundance of amazing adventure activities.”

Big Five and experience the wonders of the African wilderness.”

Rushdie agrees, adding that in addition to Kruger’s abundance of wildlife and luxurious game reserves, there are also several sightseeing options available nearby which are ideal for day tours.

OTHER CONTENDERS While Cape Town and Kruger are the obvious choices, South Africa has a lot more to offer.

Kerstin Bahnmueller, general manager business development at Amazing Africa, says the Eastern Cape is her number one inbound destination because it is not generally featured on most MICE planner lists, and she can therefore surprise her participants with this hidden gem.

Other respondents also mention the North West province, KwaZulu-Natal, Johannesburg, as well as regional favourites such as Victoria Falls, Botswana (the Okavango), and Zimbabwe. 4

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Issie Mathurin, director of Escapeful Travel and Events, says, “A wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, Kruger National Park is renowned for its incredible safaris, allowing visitors to spot the

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Mauritius has positioned itself as one of the top MICE destinations and being voted as the Indian Ocean’s Best MICE Destination for 2023 is the industry stamp of approval.

With a wide choice of accommodation options, activities, and venues, from stunning beach-side resorts to business hotels, independent conference rooms and the largest multipurpose conference centre in the region, offering state-of-the-art equipment and quality service, Mauritius is open for business.

This – and so much more – is what makes Mauritius the ideal destination for your next meeting, conference, group incentive or event… so, come and experience the island’s amazing warmth, people, and hospitality.

Mauritius is waiting to welcome you!

Mauri�us Tourism Promo�on Authority – SA Representa�ve: Hermina Sennelo / Liana Barnard – Meropa Communica�ons Tel: +27 (0)11 506 7300 Email: mauri�us@meropa.co.za

www.mauri�usnow.com

www.theplannerguru.co.za

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ACCOMMODATION

Indulge in the ultimate self-care experience

Sala Beach House offers the perfect oasis for small incentive groups in search of a tranquil, healthful, and pampered experience.

F

or those seeking an escape from their worries and cares, the luxurious 5-star Sala Beach Hotel is the answer. Understated elegance combined with coastal splendour make this beachside haven an irresistible offering.

Located at Shaka’s Rock, just north of Ballito and a quick 20-minute drive from King Shaka International Airport, the hotel’s villa, rooms, and suites are nestled among lush greenery, with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and private access to Thompson’s Bay beach.

Craig Rutherfoord, the hotel’s owner, says, “The sense of serenity and calm at Sala Beach House is almost tangible. We’ve set out to create a space where guests can hit pause on all their worries, a place to heal and gather strength.”

COSY COMFORTS Prizing privacy, Sala Beach House has an exclusive selection of accommodation options for their guests and can sleep a maximum of 20 adults.

The laidback-luxe villa sleeps up to six adults in three spacious ensuite rooms, with a dining/ lounge area, full kitchen, guest bathroom, and a private terrace and plunge pool with magnificent views across the ocean.

Alternatively, guests can stay in one of the rooms or suites (seven in total), which are ideal for couples. While each is uniquely designed and decorated, they all capitalise on the gorgeous views, and have exquisite furnishings and a modern yet cosy atmosphere.

FEEDING THE BODY AND SOUL Dining at Sala Beach House is an experience to be savoured. The resident chefs use the freshest and finest ingredients – often plucked straight from Sala’s own garden, soil-to-fork – to create seasonal, flavourful, and nourishing dishes. These gastronomic delights are paired with incredible

views over the Dolphin Coast, a combination that leaves everyone fully satisfied.

PICK YOUR PLEASURES There’s plenty to do when staying at Sala Beach House. The options suit a range of abilities and fitness levels, and many also yield proven health and wellness benefits for those wanting to recharge their body, mind, and soul.

If relaxation is on the agenda, the onsite Spa has three treatment rooms, a sauna, and an outside shower, and is run by trained therapists who can offer a variety of professional Terres d’Afrique and QMS Medicosmetics facial and body treatments.

Alternatively, the tranquil ambiance and stunning scenery create the perfect space for meditation and yoga practices, with the possibility of catching sight of the magnificent whales and dolphins that are often seen along this stretch of the coast.

If guests are seeking something a little more active, there are three sparkling pools on the property and private access to Thompson’s Bay beach, which boasts blue flag status and an Olympic-size tidal pool that is popular with both swimmers and snorkelers. The rocky coastline is home to over 50 species of fish, including parrot fish, damsels, surgeons, butterfly fish, and moray eels, so there is plenty to discover.

Further round the corner is the iconic Hole in the Wall which leads to more than 9 km of picturesque coastal trails and walks along secluded beaches, rocky coves, and clifftop paths.

Great surf attracts surfers to these shores, with group and private lessons available for those who need some instruction. Boat tours and fishing excursions are also available.

Golf enthusiasts will also not be disappointed.

Seven world-class golf courses are within easy access, namely: Simbithi Country Club (7 minutes’ drive away), Umhlali Country Club (12 minutes’ drive), Zimbali Country Club (12 minutes’ drive), Mount Edgecombe Country Club (31 minutes’ drive), Beachwood Golf Course (31 minutes’ drive), Durban Country Club (33 minutes’ drive), and Prince’s Grant Golf Estate (35 minutes’ drive).

Sala Beach House is also easily combinable with exclusive bush experiences. The 5-star Rhino Sands eco-safari camp, set in the Big Five Manyoni Private Game Reserve, is a two-hour drive away and promises intimate access to world class game-viewing.

Lastly, a plethora of retail and dining experiences are also on Sala’s doorstep, with Ballito being a 5-minute drive away.

READY TO SPOIL AND PAMPER YOU INCENTIVE PARTICIPANTS? Find out more about Sala Beach House: visit salabeach.co.za, email stay@salabeach.co.za, or call +27 (0)32 492 0420. 4

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#FEDHASA MEET ROSEMARY ANDERSON

SA’s hospitality industry is cautiously optimistic

Rosemary Anderson holds the position of National Chairperson at FEDHASA, the voice of hospitality in South Africa. She also serves as a board member at TBCSA (Tourism Business Council of South Africa). In addition to her role in leading hospitality and tourism businesses in both South Africa and the UK, Anderson boasts nearly three decades of invaluable personal experience and a unique perspective on the industry.

Consequently, she is frequently sought after as a thought leader to provide insights on a wide spectrum of hospitality issues, including matters such as government support, business constraints, and ease of conducting business.

Married with children, Anderson’s passion is notably centred on fostering a conducive environment for employment opportunities within the hospitality and tourism sector. Moreover, she is deeply committed to championing the use of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes, which she believes could create thousands of agricultural jobs, especially in a water-scarce country like South Africa.

Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson at FEDHASA, shares an update on how the hospitality industry is faring in SA.

S

tats SA’s latest reports indicate that the recovery of South Africa’s travel and hospitality sector continues its upward trajectory. From January to July 2023, international tourist arrivals increased by 70.6% to 4.8 million, compared to the first seven months of 2022, with most tourists visiting South Africa for holiday purposes.

Government says these figures are encouraging, ahead of the bumper summer season, but points out that the figures are 19% lower compared to the same period in 2019. It remains upbeat, however, saying it means to surpass pre-Covid figures and exceed 10 million arrivals by the end of March next year.

Let’s take a look at some of the crucial figures in the reports: In August 2023, we saw 2 577 724 travellers (arrivals, departures, and transits) pass through our entry and exit ports. This figure comprised 690 126 (26.8%) South Africans and 1 887 598 (73.2%) foreign travellers. When compared with the same period last year, South African arrivals are up 4.7% from August last year, while overseas visitors have increased by 20.1% Regarding tourist accommodation, the total income for the industry increased by 17.8% in July 2023 compared to July 2022 (measured in current prices). Stats SA says income from accommodation has increased by 29.1% year-on-year due to a 7.5% increase in the number of stay unit nights sold and a 20.1% increase in the average income per stay unit night sold. The year-on-year increases were attributed mainly to hotels (30.3% and contributing 18.7 percentage points) and other accommodation (34.2% and contributing 10.7 percentage points).

Performing slightly less stellar, the total income generated by the food and beverage industry increased by 0.8% in July 2023 compared to July 2022, measured in real terms (i.e. constant 2019 prices). The top contributor was catering services at 11.9% and contributing 1.2 percentage points,

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followed by takeaway and fast-food outlets at 3% and contributing 1.1 percentage points.

FEDHASA been advocating for the extension of the diesel rebate to the hospitality industry to offer some form of respite, and we are waiting on the outcome.”

A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT These uplifting statistics are offset by the major challenges in our country – none of them new.

According to the World Bank, South Africa now has the highest unemployment rate in the world, while a United Nations report has described the situation as “a ticking time bomb”. This ongoing crisis means that, as an industry, we need a much stronger focus on job creation. More visitors, however, means more job openings, and that is heartening.

Loadshedding meanwhile has “evolved” from sporadic to everyday reality, forcing businesses to invest heavily in expensive alternative energy options at a time when margins are already under pressure. FEDHASA been advocating for the extension of the diesel rebate to the hospitality industry to offer some form of respite, and we are waiting on the outcome.

Water crises continue, with KwaZulu-Natal particularly hard hit by supply issues and wastewater processing and discharge concerns, especially regarding Durban’s beaches, and this is hampering recovery. But as there are challenges, there are also opportunities.

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES Recently, the BRICS group of nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) agreed to allow Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates into the fold. This is the group’s first expansion since South Africa joined in 2010 and signals the possibility of more countries joining. The addition of Ethiopia and Egypt will also boost Africa’s voice in the group.

BRICS is a powerhouse comprising about 40% of the world’s population, and with the new members joining on 1 January 2024, its influence will grow exponentially.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, commenting on this development, said, “BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous.”

But what does this mean for our travel and hospitality sector? The expansion will bring with it many benefits, including fast-tracking job creation and economic growth, opening up new markets and fostering cultural connection and ease of travel between the countries in the group. It is, in fact, a monumental development that promises to redefine inbound travel. And the most exciting part? South Africa will play a pivotal role in this transformation. 4

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P O W E R F U L S TAY S

DOING BUSINESS BETTER, AT JOHANNESBURG MARRIOTT HOTEL MELROSE ARCH The recent completion of an extensive solar installation at the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch is helping the property deliver on its promise of ensuring that every guest and event has their energy demands met in a more sustainable manner – and without interruption.

I

n September 2021, the Marriott International hotel group announced its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, to play its part in tackling the climate crisis.

Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, explained, “We are driven to make a positive and sustainable impact wherever we do business, and this rigorous climate commitment to reach net-zero emissions is a needed step for us to do our part to help the communities and environments where we live, work, and visit remain resilient and vibrant.”

A GLOBAL PLEDGE, RECEIVING LOCAL SUPPORT This year, the five-star Johannesburg Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments in Melrose Arch, part of a dual-brand synergy operating from the same building, contributed to this ambitious target by reducing the property’s energy-related carbon emissions through an extensive rooftop solar installation.

The Marriott Executive Apartments have 84 apartments in total, while the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel has 306 rooms and suites, as well as seven event rooms and nine breakout rooms offering 854 m² total event space. In addition, there are two restaurants on the premises: the Keystone Bistro and Archer Bar & Eatery. The new solar installation has cut the property’s dependence on coal-powered energy by an impressive 30%.

The solar installation began in May 2023, and took six months to complete. The long schedule was partly due to the carefully phased approach of the installation, in order to keep the hotel and apartments fully operational throughout this period – which was no small feat.

Fortunately, on those rare instances where there were unavoidable disturbances, alternative accommodation could be conveniently sourced from the other two hotels within The Marriott Melrose Arch Collection of Hotels, at either the African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection Hotel, or the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Melrose Arch.

A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO GREENING The new solar installation is not only an invaluable contributor to Marriott’s net zero commitment; it also provides an attractive option for those guests and clients who are seeking a more sustainable stay or event.

The Marriott Melrose Arch Collection of Hotels have taken several sustainability steps in recent years, including adopting a ‘farming for the future’ philosophy which sees ingredients

procured from within a 100 km radius of Melrose Arch. Suppliers are often small businesses whose ethical values align with the brand. Food waste has also been reduced by 10% year-on-year through adjusted portioning and composting food scraps and leftovers. Additionally, the hotel has reduced plastic waste by opting for biodegradable takeout food containers and implementing an in-house water bottling plant that uses only recycled glass bottles. All these steps have a carbon footprint-reducing benefit.

UNINTERRUPTED CONVENIENCE A second motivation for securing renewable energy was in response to the intermittent power outages being experienced across the country. “We need to ensure that every guest and event will have uninterrupted power and a hassle-free experience during their time on our premises, and so sourcing renewable energy from the South African sun seemed to be the obvious next step,” shares Alison Turner, cluster director of marketing for The Marriott Melrose Arch Collection of Hotels.

She adds, “At Marriott, we care for our environment like we care for our guests and will always put its needs – and in many cases protection – at the heart of our business.”

To experience a more sustainable stay at Johannesburg Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments in Melrose Arch, with reliable electricity and uninterrupted comfort and convenience throughout your visit, go to: www.marriott.com/jnbmc

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Unlock a variety of experiences at one address.

Be spoilt for choice, and then spoiled some more

ARCHER BAR & EATERY The Marriott Hotel This vibey spot is a favourite hangout for locals who are drawn to its speciality coffees, creative cocktails, craft beers, locally inspired street food fare, as well as its authenticity and unassuming excellence.

The atmosphere is a blend of industrious and dynamic, perfect for when you need an energy boost.

The Marriott Hotel Servicing the Marriott Hotel and the Marriott Executive Apartments, the Keystone Bistro Restaurant is a popular choice for event planners and can cater for anything from intimate cocktails for two to celebrations for groups of up to 100 people.

The menu is a mix of local and international favourites, complemented by an array of premium beverages. The ambience is simplicity and sophistication, creating an inviting space to unwind, refuel, network, and socialise, all under the care of the skilled and attentive service staff.

archerbarandeatery.com

SEBULE RESTAURANT

ADUNA BISTRO

KEYSTONE BISTRO RESTAURANT

The Marriott Melrose Arch Collection of Hotels is home to five restaurants and bars, each with a distinctive personality and offering to accommodate different taste profiles and all sharing an elegant, upmarket experience.

The cuisine ranges from global to local, often fusing both into one mouth-watering dish.

The African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection Hotel With a fashionable, upmarket African feel, Sebule Restaurant has a warm and welcoming ambiance. (“Sebule” is the Swahili word for “entrance”.) Serving inspired African dishes with a contemporary twist, Sebule has only just opened its doors at The African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection Hotel, creating a buzz in the Precinct.

adunabistro.co.za

sebule.co.za

THE RESTAURANT

The African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection Hotel Aduna Bistro opened its doors earlier this year. This exquisite destination is built on a philosophy that the most memorable dining experiences require three ingredients: exceptional food and drink, flawless service, and an inspiring ambiance. In delivering all three, Aduna Bistro will take you on a culinary journey that celebrates only the best things in life.

@MelroseArchHotel @JohannesburgMarriottMelroseArch @FireandiceJHBMelroseArch www.theplannerguru.co.za @MarriottExecutiveApartmentsJohannesburg

The Protea Hotel Fire&Ice! by Marriott Melrose Arch Much like Johannesburg, The Restaurant is young, hip and happening. It has a fast-paced feel for those on the go, and the menu offering reflects this – from South Africa’s prized braai culture such as chisa nyama to sharing pots, mixed in with the Hollywood brand of burgers and decadent milkshakes in 37 decadent flavours.

mhrs.jnbmc.sales@marriott.com @africanpridemelrosearchhotel @mexecjohannesburg @marriottmelrosearch THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 • @fireandicema www.marriott.com

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EVENT DESIGN

HOW & WHY TO CREATE INCLUSIVE EVENTS From widening your audience base to cultivating innovation and enhancing attendee experience, there are many benefits to hosting inclusive events. The Incentive Planner explores them here, as well as tried-and-tested strategies to incorporate inclusivity into your events.

D

iversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) refers to the intentional process of ensuring a diversity of people (where diversity can refer to a range of demographics such as background, age, gender, expertise, socio-economic standing, sexual orientation, abilities, and so forth) are represented at (in this article’s context) events, while ensuring they are not only treated fairly and respectfully but are also pro-actively made to feel welcome and included.

DEI is not just a nice-to-have. By intentionally fostering inclusivity at your events, you can create several benefits for your event. (See our side bar on 8 benefits of DEI at events.) So how do you go about creating conferences and events that support DEI?

AN ACCESSIBLE VENUE: 2a. CHOOSE 4 PRICING: Ensure the venue you choose is accessible, a. If cost could be a barrier for some of your

b.

c.

YOUR DATE AND TIMES WISELY: 3CHOOSE Avoid religious holidays and school holidays

a.

1 BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVITY: a. Commit to making DEI part of your event’s b. c.

d. e.

DNA. This includes clearly defining your goals and objectives for DEI. Have a diverse event organising team, so that differing perspectives are considered from the start.

Understand your audience, and which demographics need to be better represented. You can then proactively target these demographics and find ways to bring them to your event.

Communicate that your event is inclusive in all event marketing materials.

At the same time, make sure your communication is accessible – for example, designing your website in line with best practice guidelines for accessibility. These are usually simple things that make your website easier for everyone to use, such as providing alternative text for all images, and using the recommended font sizes and colours.

for example with easy wheelchair access into the building, the rooms, and restrooms, as well as sufficient parking for disabled individuals.

If you need to choose a destination for the event, also consider a safe and inclusive destination where everyone will feel welcome.

Consider making the event online if you think many of your target audience would prefer to attend that way.

b.

which can preclude some attendees.

Equally consider that people who are also carers might be unable to attend evening events easily, so ensure that at least some good quality networking sessions are available during the day.

Announce the date and time far in advance, so attendees have the time to make any necessary arrangements to attend.

b.

c.

targeted audience members, such as students, you could look at having a tiered ticket pricing, or unbundling the ticket so that people can opt to attend specific parts of the event.

If many of your attendees’ care for small children, you could create a complimentary onsite childcare drop-off to make attending easier and more affordable.

Accommodate people who requires a helper to attend an event with them, by ensuring the helper has complimentary access.

RSVPS: 5 INCLUSIVE Consider asking attendees if they have any

a.

b. c.

special requirements on the RSVP form. This could include anything from physical disabilities to sign language interpretation needs, dietary requirements, or caring needs.

Consider requesting attendee pronouns and including these on the lanyard badges.

Ensure that your registration platform

36 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

suninternational.com

The CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) offers superb facilities and quality service. This purposebuilt venue has an experienced and dedicated team to conceptualise and arrange extraordinary social events such as year-end functions, private parties, graduation ceremonies, and other glassclinking celebrations.

A variety of social event packages are available to tailor-make your event memorable!

Contact details Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria t: +27 12 841 3884 e: icc@csir.co.za www.csiricc.co.za

#DEI

is compatible with screen readers for visually impaired participants.

A DIVERSE PROGRAMME: 6a. CREATE Invite a diversity of speakers and

b.

c. d.

panellists to your event, including from underrepresented groups. Ensure that diversity is also apparent across the spread of speaking responsibilities.

Have a diversity of programme formats so that the audience is also able to engage with the event’s content and share their ideas.

These can include panel discussions, plenaries, Q&As, roundtable discussions, workshops, breakout discussions, etc. Here it is important that the facilitator or MC is briefed on how to be more inclusive. For example, research shows that men are more likely to ask a question during Q&As; however, this changes if the first question is asked by a woman. Being intentional about taking questions from women and minority groups first can help encourage these groups to speak up more readily.

Consider offering less experienced speakers mentoring and coaching.

Have a range of different networking sessions throughout the event, to give attendees varied opportunities, some of which could suit their needs better.

SET UP YOUR EVENT TO CATER FOR 7DIFFERENT NEEDS: a.

b.

Ensure the on-site event signage is clear and positioned so that everyone can find it easily.

Think about individuals who may have hearing or vision impairments, and ensure your visuals and audio are of a high quality and clear. Depending on your event and audience, you can also consider

c. d. e.

providing sign language interpreters, captioning services, and assistive technology like hearing loop systems, communication boards, and braille materials.

For those with mobility impairments, create a designated seating area for them that is easily accessible.

Quiet pause areas with comfortable seating can be beneficial for those who may need a break during busy conferences and events.

Make the event’s content available to your audience in different formats after the event has finished, such as video clips, infographics, blog posts, downloadable pdfs, etc.

WELL: 8a. COMMUNICATE Develop a code of conduct or a harassment

b. c. d.

policy that attendees must sign when they register, and with a clear process on how to report incidents of discrimination or harassment. Ensure at least one organising team member is trained and equipped to deal with any code of conduct breaches.

Ensure attendees are aware of the facilities and support that they might need which is available at your event.

Collect feedback from your attendees afterwards, so you know what is working well and what areas need to be improved.

Measure and assess the success of your DEI goals.

As with most aspects of event planning, DEI is a dynamic and ongoing process that will evolve with your event over time. But by consistently keeping DEI top of mind, you’ll likely find it becomes second nature and continues to build increased value into your conferences and events. 4

8 BENEFITS OF DEI AT EVENTS 1.

Diversity enriches your event: Bringing people together with diverse perspectives and expertise tends to encourage greater creativity and introduces fresh ideas – especially if everyone feels safe to share their different perspectives.

According to several reports by McKinsey, there is a positive correlation between business performance and diversity. Events can similarly benefit from exposing attendees to different opinions, Ideas, discussions, and potential collaborations.

2.

Inclusivity can open your event up to a wider audience: An event that appeals to a broader base of people has a greater chance of attracting more people.

3.

Improved networking: Improved diversity means participants are more likely to be able to network with people they might not normally otherwise encounter.

4.

Positive attendee experience: When people feel welcomed, respected, and represented, they are more likely to enjoy the event, share positive feedback with their colleagues, and return in the future.

5.

Increased sponsorship opportunities: Inclusive events are seen as forward-thinking and socially responsible, making them attractive to potential sponsors.

6.

Enhanced reputation: Hosting inclusive events sends a powerful message about your organisation’s values and can give you a competitive edge.

7.

Legal compliance and risk mitigation: Many countries have anti-discrimination and accessibility laws that mandate equal treatment for all individuals. By prioritising inclusivity, you reduce the risk of legal challenges and potential liabilities.

8.

Practicing DEI makes your event more resilient and adaptable: By creating a culture of inclusivity, your event can respond more effectively to evolving demographics, societal expectations, and emerging trends, ensuring its longevity and relevance.

References Men ask more questions than women at a scientific conference: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0185534 Best practice guide: Developing inclusive conferences: https://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/about/equality-diversity/190522_Inclusive_Conference_Guide.pdf The event planning guide to inclusive and accessible conferences: https://congrex.com/blog/event-planning-guide-inclusive-accessible-conferences/

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THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

39

101 ADVENTURES

Join 101 Adventures, SATSA, Go South Africa, and Wesgro, in an exciting collaboration! They are seeking partners to help spotlight the incredible adventures waiting in Cape Town and along the Garden Route. See how you can get invited in the 101 Adventures competition by visiting satsa.com.

UNLOCKING

Southern Africa’s

adventure tourism potential

SATSA has identified 101 different adventure activities available in South Africa.

This positions us favourably against competitors such as New Zealand, currently known as the ’Capital of Adventure Tourism’.

A

ccording to Allied Market Research, the global adventure tourism market is estimated to generate $1 169.09 billion by 2028. Additionally, there is widespread acknowledgement that this market segment is resilient to natural and political setbacks, attracts high-value visitors, and is aligned with sustainable practices.

For a country like South Africa where post-pandemic national imperatives include transformation in rural areas, job creation, geographic spread and the development of sustainable tourism products, adventure tourism offers a strong growth opportunity, not least because of its rich assets, excellent climate, and the already extensive array of adventure experiences on offer.

THE CHALLENGES OF ADVENTURE TOURISM GROWTH The key challenges facing our adventure tourism sector, based on research conducted before the pandemic, include vulnerability with regard to unscrupulous operators, safety and reliability issues, and a largely fragmented and uncoordinated industry that is under-represented in tourism markets and lacks a cohesive marketing effort.

Our rich potential can only be leveraged if these experiences are well organised and safe, hence the need for a more formal approach: • A self-regulatory environment • A database of credible adventure experiences • A coordinated community of adventure tourism stakeholders.

40 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER 2023/24

SELF-ACCREDITATION Based on industry feedback, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) is developing a voluntary and dynamic self-accreditation process that will elevate the profile and operations of this sector and provide the public and private sectors with the confidence that South Africa’s adventure tourism experiences are safe, and competitive, and can be confidently marketed to travellers.

In addition to the job creation opportunities and achieving a coordinated industry with a cohesive marketing effort, the spin-off to this will be the development of new adventure tourism products in areas not traditionally included in traditional itineraries.

JOIN OUR MISSION To ensure that this is a true industry-led initiative, SATSA is inviting all role-players, stakeholders, operators etc. to join hands with the SATSA Adventure Chapter to position our destination.

Several options, from paid membership to free community and stakeholder registration, have been made available as follows: • become a SATSA Member and join the Adventure Chapter • become an Adventure Chapter Growth Member • list your adventure tourism business for free as a Community Member • register as a Stakeholder, Industry Body, Association, etc.

We have a window of opportunity to put adventure tourism on the map in South Africa and these are the first steps to achieving this.

And so, the adventure begins…

WHY COLLABORATE WITH SATSA’S ADVENTURE CHAPTER Participate in a community to network and grow South Africa’s adventure industry.

Create local and international awareness of South Africa’s adventure tourism value proposition and credibility.

Inform a self-regulatory framework for South Africa’s adventure tourism industry: • Establish minimum operating criteria.

• Communicate these as minimum standards – a stamp of credibility.

• Develop individual regulation modalities for safety and operational standards.

• Skills development and training requirements.

• Insurance, risk management, and legalities.

FIND OUT MORE For more information – including access to the Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation Roadmap, General Code of Good Practice Guide, and General Code of Good Practice Checklist, please visit www.satsa.com/adventure-tourism.

Please also feel free to contact any of the below Adventure Tourism Committee Members for further details: Andre du Toit (Chapter Chair): +27 82 446 1697, andre@firstequity.co.za Mark Brown: +27 82 453 3970, mark@canopytour.co.za Quintin Smith: +27 84 870 5579, quintin@bikesnwines.com Hannelie du Toit: +27 83 600 3555, hannelie@satsa.co.za 4

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#GOLFTOURISM

GROWING SA’S GOLF APPEAL

G

olf tourism has been identified as a growth market, both locally and internationally. Golf tourism was featured for the first time at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa 2023, while South African Tourism (SA Tourism) participated in the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) 2023.

Zinhle Nzama, acting chief conventions bureau officer at SA Tourism, said about exhibiting at IGTM, “Participating in IGTM is a testament to our commitment to promoting South Africa as a premier golf tourism destination. Our country’s unique blend of world-class golf courses, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural experiences make it an ideal choice for golf enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to engage with industry professionals from around the globe.”

A LUCRATIVE INDUSTRY The Global Association for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry (IAGTO) shares that 54 million people worldwide play golf regularly, of whom 25% would book a holiday specifically to play at different courses.

These golfing enthusiasts are big spenders and generally spend 120% more than general leisure travellers.

Research and Markets’ Global Golf Tourism Market 2023-2027 report, published in August 2023, forecasts that golf tourism will grow by $9.2 billion between 2022 and 2027. It writes, “In the dynamic landscape of global tourism, the golf tourism market stands poised for significant growth, leveraged by key trends such as growing

With hundreds of world-class golf courses, South Africa has the potential to become a top golfing destination. golf infrastructure, increasing popularity of professional tournaments, and governmental support for golf tourism.”

SOUTH AFRICA’S GOLFING ASSETS South Africa’s golfing history goes back to 1885 when the first golf club – the Royal Cape – was formed. Today, there 414 golf courses affiliated to GolfRSA (the unified body of the South African Golf Association – SAGA, and Womens Golf South Africa – WGSA). Among these are 219 nine-holes, 195 18-holes, as well as a unique 13-hole course at Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal.

Many of these golf courses are in tourist hot spots with spectacular scenery, exciting add-on activities, and in some cases unique wildlife sightings. Players at the Skukuza Golf Club in the Kruger National Park have watched hippos, lions, leopards, and hyenas wander past, while golfing hazards take on a new dimension at Leopard Creek in Malelane, Mpumalanga, as many of the waterways are home to the magnificent creatures for which the river is named – crocodiles!

Johan Piek, club director at Leopard Creek, shares that they are receiving a steady influx of tourists and are back to their pre-Covid numbers.

He adds, “We are in a fortunate position to have this wonderful facility that also ties into an itinerary for many tourists, especially Americans, who want to experience the Cape and the bush in addition to playing golf.”

He continues, “South Africa offers fantastic value and diversity for any international tourist.

The quality of our product is generally top notch to boot; so, value for money is not a concern in my opinion.”

If anything, South Africa comes in as cost-saving option. Despite being a long-haul destination for most visitors, a golf adventure in South Africa is roughly a third of the cost of a similar trip to Spain and Portugal, two of the world’s leading golf destinations.

TOP 10 COURSES IN SA According to satop100courses.com, these are the top 10 golf courses in the country as announced in January 2023.

The site’s editor is Stuart McLean, who was the editor of Golf Digest SA for 22 years. He uses a similar ranking as was established in the magazine, but with the public invited to contribute their feedback and experiences to the process. #1 Leopard Creek in Malelane, Mpumalanga #2 The Links at Fancourt in George, Garden Route #3 Pearl Valley near Paarl, Western Cape winelands #4 St Francis Links in St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape #5 Fancourt Montagu in George, Garden Route #6 Blair Atholl in Lanseria, Gauteng #7 Arabella near Kleinmond, Western Cape #8 Glendower in Johannesburg, Gauteng #9 Humewood in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape #10 Elements near Bela Bela, Limpopo 4

Image courtesy of Avianto Hotel & Conference Centre, Muldersdrift, Gauteng

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Passionately Promoting Hotels, Lodges & Event Services

TOURISM

CHOOSE YOUR OWN AD VE NT UR E!

Discover just a few of the activities and tours that South Africa has to offer those seeking something a little more thrilling than the ordinary…

PANORAMA PEDALS Cycling allows you to experience the local life first-hand. Be it passing through a little unknown town or stopping to admire the wild a few steps away, Panorama Pedals will give you the opportunity to see the bigger picture up close.

Get dressed in your sporty gear and come feel the wind through the gaps of your helmet as you bike the adventure of a lifetime.

Our tours include: Safari cycle South Africa: 10 days touring Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Extension tour options are available to Hoedspruit, Johannesburg and Soweto, and Cape Town.

Limpopo cycling day tours: One-day tours each exploring the areas of Tzaneen, Letsitele, Bandelierkop, and Hoedspruit.

42 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER 2023/24

Bike and boat Croatia: Eight-day bike and boat tour through South Dalmatia.

E-bike and boat Croatia: Eight days cruising Southern Dalmatia.

Family cycling Croatia: Eight-day tour catering for all ages and abilities.

Bike & boat Greece: Eight-day cycling cruise from Athens to Corfu.

Bike and boat Italy: Eight days travelling through Tuscany and the Island Giglio.

Camino de Compostela: Eight-day cycling tour starting in Porto (Portugal) and ending in Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

Cycle Lake Constance: Seven-day tour around the entire lake and crossing through Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Website: www.panoramapedals.com

MISTY MOUNTAIN Misty Mountain is a favourite and popular country destination for many when visiting the Lowveld. Situated on the Long Tom Pass, between Sabie and Lydenburg, Panorama Route, Mpumalanga, it offers comfortable accommodation, good food, great facilities, conferencing, fun activities, and is home to South Africa’s only monorail toboggan ride.

There is so much to do at Misty Mountain, whether you are staying over or just looking for a day of enjoyment and adventure. Enjoy the ride of your life on the Long Tom Toboggan; feel the wind through your hair and the thrill in your belly as you whoosh around the mountains on the 1.7 km track at speeds of up to 45 km/hour.

Or take an eco-friendly Long Tom Scootours trip on a monster scooter, experience a series of sensational downhill runs and single-track through open grasslands, indigenous forest, and pine plantations.

A four-wheeled quad bike adventure is another option for guests seeking a ride through forestry roads and secluded mountain paths. Or get your dose of fresh air by following the hiking and walking trails on site.

Website: www.mistymountain.co.za & www.longtomtoboggan.co.za

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#ADVENTURE RETZA ROYAL ENFIELD ADVENTURES Join RETZA Royal Enfield for unforgettable vintage-style incentive tours in Cape Town.

Discover short, captivating escapades like the ‘Highlights of Cape Town’ 2-hour ride, half-day, and full-day Cape Peninsula tours, or opt for guided overland journeys up the West Coast or the iconic Garden Route. Choose self-riding (must have motorcycle license) or a chauffeured experience; we’ve got it all covered.

With 19 Royal Enfield motorcycles, we prioritise your comfort and safety, providing helmets and jackets. But our offerings go beyond tours; we enhance your arrival with a unique transfer experience to your next meeting or event on our vintage-style motorcycles.

From corporate events to incentive trips, RETZA creates extraordinary adventures that strengthen teams and forge lasting memories.

Experience Cape Town beyond the ordinary, where exploration meets the majesty of the Cape. Your extraordinary journey begins with RETZA. Website: retza.co.za GRAVITY ADVENTURES Gravity Adventures offers micro adventures – ‘bite sized’ adventures in and around Cape Town, including: Breede River rafting: Easy rafting in the countryside topped off with a glass of wine and picnic lunch.

Coasteering: A bit like Kloofing but along the coastline, and including snorkelling, rock jumps, and kelp forest swimming.

Sea kayaking: Two-hour trips launching from Simons Town, Hout Bay, Table Bay, and Langebaan – each with its own unique appeal, from dolphin and whale sightings to stunning scenery and more. Alternatively, take a day

trip with a picnic on a beach in the West Coast National Park, while a range of more advanced routes are also available.

Palmiet River rafting & tubing: In winter, when the water is high, this is a world class Grade 3 whitewater rafting section in the beautiful Kogelberg Nature Reserve. In summer, when levels drop, we switch to tubing.

Easy kloofing: An entry level activity for those who are keen to explore but are not up to Suicide Gorge or Kamikazi Canyon! Rock hopping, swimming in the rock pools, and a few fun (but optional) jumps make this an accessible adventure in Baine’s Kloof, Limietberg Nature Reserve. Website: gravity.co.za

EPIC ENABLED Epic Enabled specialises in accessible safaris and tours for disabled and able travellers alike – everyone is welcome!

Epic Expeditions began as an overland tour company in 1992, after which owner Alfie Smith noticed the lack of travel opportunities for disabled travellers and their families and friends to enjoy the African wildlife and nature experience together. A new division of the company, Epic Enabled, was formed in 2001 and it has been offering sought-after scheduled and private accessible tours ever since. Epic Enabled is proud to give ‘enabled’ people the same sense of adventure and thrill which overlanding has to offer.

Alfie also arranges bespoke tours such as an epic 5 000km tour that took place in May 2023, which guided a group of adventurous handcyclists from the east coast of Africa in Namibia to the west coast of Mozambique over 60 days.

Website: www.epic-enabled.com

MOGOPODI ADVENTURES Mogopodi Adventures is a premier adventure travel company dedicated to providing thrilling and unforgettable experiences for adventure enthusiasts. With our carefully crafted adventure packages, we aim to inspire a sense of exploration and create lasting memories in the hearts of our customers.

Adventure and outdoor activities we arrange includes hiking, rock climbing, ziplining, scuba diving, kayaking, safari drives, game walks, and birdwatching.

In addition to this, Mogopodi Adventures also offers trip planning and organisation, transportation services, accommodation arrangements, tailor-made trips, and guided tours and excursions exploring the local culture, history, and nature.

Mogopodi Adventures also won the Top Travel & Tourism Brand at the 2023 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards.

Website: www.mogopodiadventures.co.za

ADVANTAGE TOURS ST. LUCIA Nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Advantage Tours St. Lucia offers thrilling coastal adventures for both leisure and corporate group experiences.

Boat-based whale watching: Our signature two-hour tour from St. Lucia accommodates groups of up to 20 passengers per trip, for captivating encounters with humpback whales and more.

Hippo and croc cruises: Explore the estuary’s rich wildlife with our two-hour cruises, ideal for groups of up to 80 guests on our spacious double-deck cruiser. Ideal for team-building or incentive activities.

Deep sea fishing adventures: For groups seeking angling excitement, deep sea fishing expeditions for up to 16 passengers per six-hour trip promise a memorable bonding experience.

Ocean adventure and dolphin cruises: Experience the thrill of ocean adventures and dolphin encounters on our two-hour tours, accommodating up to 20 passengers per trip.

Group luncheons at Ocean Grill Restaurant: Enhance your group experience with a delectable meal at our Ocean Grill Restaurant, offering a la carte or set menu options.

Website: advantagetours.co.za 4

TECH + TRAVEL

AI USE CASES FOR TRAVEL-RELATED BUSINESSES

Still trying to get your head around what AI can do for I, or Artificial Intelligence, is a your business? These topic you can’t avoid right now. examples are a useful And perhaps you shouldn’t, given the intriguing value proposition it offers way to bring its businesses. Especially travel-related businesses. A report by McKinsey & potential to life.

Company has predicted that AI would add value

A

of approximately $400 billion to the travel industry – more than any other industry.

Other projections from the International Data Corporation show investment in AI will reach $500 billion by 2024 while the global AI market is expected to grow to $733.7 billion by 2027.

WHAT IS AI? But what exactly is AI? HCLTech’s definition is simple and to the point: “Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. It can do things that are considered ‘smart’.” This includes having the ability to learn and get better at completing tasks.

However, a big difference between AI and humans is one of capacity. Machines can process huge amounts of data quickly, whereas humans can’t. This is what makes the potential uses of AI so promising.

GENERATIVE AI Generative AI refers to AI that can generate text, images, video, and other

media. The best-known version is ChatGPT, which stands for Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer. Launched on 30 November 2022 by the developers, OpenAI, the free-to-use platform is essentially a chatbot which users can ask for… well, almost anything they want.

Pulling from content published on the internet up to 2021, ChatGPT can quickly and efficiently put together content to a specific request you give it. This could be anything from “explain the concept of ‘nostalgia’ to a pre-schooler” to “write an article on AI applications in travel”.

With responses being delivered in a matter of seconds, you can start to see just how useful such a tool is.

And did we ask it to write this article? Yes, of course! But we ended up using our own version because AI has some limitations, including a lack of access to more recent information, a lack of

critical analysis, a lack of humour, and the potential to contain unfiltered biases.

SO, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? Despite these shortcomings, it is awe-inspiring what AI can do, and do well.

In an article on roadbook.com titled ‘AI and the travel industry – what does it all mean’, Tom Kershaw, chief product and technology officer at retail platform Travelport, shares two ways he believes AI will impact the travel industry, “The first is personalisation – using data and predictive analytics to match the perfect offer to the traveller at exactly the right time. The second is automation – reducing the amount of time needed to change a ticket, cancel a ticket, reroute a traveller, or make changes to an itinerary.”

“With staff still in short supply and demand for travel continuing to outpace supply, replacing routine human tasks with automation is not just desirable, it’s existential to the continued growth and relevance of the travel agency community,” he adds.

WHAT THIS CAN LOOK LIKE AI can have countless applications that, as Tom says, can personalise and automate tasks that are often time consuming and expensive when done by humans. We’ve rounded up some examples to illustrate this. Here they are:

44 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

#AI

Chatbots, but better: We’ve all ‘spoken’ to first-generation chatbots that were unable to comprehend our questions or accurately understand what we needed. It can be frustrating. But AI can make chatbots that are smarter, and much more effective at two-way dialogue.

Imagine a chatbot that can ask you about your travel requirements and preferences, and based on these create a few personalised travel itineraries for you to choose from. After which it can book one for you, and then send useful reminders and prompts, travel tips and suggestions, and even manage changes to your itinerary on the fly (such as when your flight is delayed).

What’s more, AI-driven algorithms can analyse travellers’ preferences, booking history, and online behaviour to provide personalised travel recommendations in the future.

Supercharged sales assistant: Another application for AI is as a powerful sales tool.

For example, transcribing sales calls and automatically updating CRM system with the script and notes, generating and sending sales reports, sending a follow up summary to the sales lead, and through a sentiment analysis, highlighting which leads are more likely to convert. All of which can be done more of less immediately, freeing up your sales team to make more calls – and more focused calls.

Magical marketing assistants: Many businesses have caught on to the potential of

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using CHatGPT to help draft marketing copy, from articles to headlines, social media posts, and even brainstorming ideas. However, there are other exciting applications, such as AI video tools that use text to generate original videos, or AI image tools to create the exact kind of images you need, or AI tools that can take an existing piece of content and reformulate it into different formats such as different types of social media posts, SEO blog posts, and more.

Dynamic pricing: Another intriguing application is to use AI to generate dynamic pricing on booking websites, for example for hotel bookings, based on real-time market intelligence and room availability. And (of course) this can then also be integrated with personalised automated emails (both before and after a guest’s stay), as well as streamlined check-ins.

Luggage tracking: Modern AI can use photo identification to track and trace baggage. BagsID has been successfully doing this, whereby travellers take a photo of their baggage and then upload it. No more sticky labels are needed, as BagsID claims “image offers evidence of what bag has been checked in, where, and in what condition, helping to reduce fraud.” And the cost is only 1c a bag.

The examples don’t end there. Hyatt has launched the Bryte Restorative Sleep bed that uses sensors to track a guest’s heart rate and breathing and can adjust the temperature and firmness of the bed to facilitate a better, deeper sleep! And we haven’t mentioned the ways AI can process company data intelligently, nor its power as a translation tool. And so, the list goes on. Just as AI is evolving, so are its applications. 4

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45

TRAVEL

VISA MATTERS

An update on getting visas for South Africa & South Africans

A common challenge that South Africa’s travel and tourism professionals have voiced is that of obtaining visas, both for the inbound and outbound markets.

The Incentive Planner investigates the issues for clarity.

INBOUND TRAVEL South Africa is a visa-free destination for 133 countries. For the remaining 62 countries in the world, obtaining a visa to South Africa can present challenges.

The South African National Convention Bureau’s (SANCB) shares that, as part of the administrative requirements of the SANCB Bid Support Programme, clients are required to submit a Post Event Report in which they highlight the outcomes achieved with the business events including some of the key challenges that they faced in the planning and hosting phases. Visa challenges are consistently listed by clients as a key barrier that contributes to business events not being able to attract the anticipated number of delegates.

VISA TIMELINES HAVE INCREASED, BUT SO HAVE CLIENT EXPECTATIONS The travel and tourism industry acknowledges the fact that South Africa’s safety and security is paramount, and visas play a critical role in border control. However, when comparing South Africa’s visa processing ability and speed with other countries, we do not fare well. At the start of the year, Visa HQ published that applicants should expect to wait 8 to 12 weeks to receive their visa following an application submission.

(Processing times can be quicker, but the timeframe is unpredictable, it notes.)

This puts us at a disadvantage when clients are choosing destinations for group travel and events. Nations with an easy, expedited, and predictable visa process are simply more attractive.

A point in case: Michael Tollman, CEO of Cullinan Holdings Ltd Leisure & Tourism, commented at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) 2023 Leadership Conference that they had a group that was due to arrive from India that same week, which had just cancelled because they had not yet received their visas.

Subsequently, one of their top India agents has cancelled any further group bookings from India to South Africa for the upcoming season.

THE NEED TO IMPROVE INTRA-AFRICA TRAVEL Another pain point for obtaining South African visas comes from some African nationals. The Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) ranks all 53 African countries in terms of how restrictive their visa policies are, where 0 indicates the most restrictive visa policies, and a score of 1 indicates the most open visa policies. In 2022, South Africa scored a low 0.34.

The 18 nations of the Southern African Development community (SADC) have waived the need for visas between member states to encourage trade, and this is reflected in high visitor numbers from these countries – especially those we share a border with, shared TBCSA CEO

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa in an interview with John Perlman on Radio 702. However, he said that the process is incredibly challenging for nationals from West Africa, followed by Central and East Africa, which is a barrier to growing our tourism numbers.

Fortunately, these challenges are not being ignored and positive changes are taking place. As of 01 January 2023, Kenyans can visit South Africa for three months of a year, visa-free, which has resulted in an increase in visitor numbers from this nation. More recently, the governments of Ghana and South Africa reached a visa waiver agreement, enabling citizens of both countries to cross each other’s borders visa-free. eVISAS HELP, BUT NEED TO BE IMPROVED South Africa launched an eVisa platform (ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit/home) in 2022. This was initially available for 14 nationalities and has since been expanded to 35. In theory, this should make applying for a visa far easier, but the platform was designed for individual leisure travellers, making it cumbersome and time consuming for group bookings.

Additionally, some of the requirements are problematic. At the TBCSA 2023 Leadership Conference, an attendee reported that Chinese citizens are unable to obtain bank statements in English, while another said that the platform is

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#VISAS

supported by Google which is not available in China – allegedly creating technical challenges for this market to complete the online application.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was hosted at the same TBCSA Conference to discuss potential enablers of tourism growth.

The visa issue was raised, and Motsoaledi responded that his department is aware of many of these issues and is working on them, while still ensuring our borders remain secure. He added that the eVisa platform was always initially intended for leisure tourists, and that a phased plan is in place to develop it over time, and group bookings will be accommodated in the future.

He also stressed that businesses need to raise any problems experienced with existing visa applicants with the Department of Home Affairs, so they are aware of them. They can then address them, both for the specific instance and in how the system works. In this way issues will be ironed out over time.

OUTBOUND TRAVEL In terms of outbound travel, the embassies and consulates in South Africa are performing positively at pre-Covid levels, says Debbie Nicholson, Managing Member at Visas & Passports Unlimited; “It has been extremely challenging, but we have all recovered fairly well, and are probably seeing better numbers than pre-Covid.”

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DON’T RUSH IT While some countries have unusually long wait times (Canada being an extreme example, in that the visa processing time is 125 days at the time of writing this article), Debbie says the sweet spot for incentive travel bookings is to allow two to three months to obtain visas for a group.

“Some incentive planners think group bookings are easier to process than individual ones. This simply isn’t true – each applicant in the group needs to be processed as an individual, so a bulk of individual applications is, if anything, a little harder to process timeously for busy embassies,” she says.

It’s also important to note that while many visas, including the Schengen and UK, take only 15 working days to process, others take longer.

Additionally, the processing timeframe is typically calculated from the time of your appointment.

Appointment availability varies by country, from bookings being available in a few days (Greece, Italy, and France) up to just over three weeks (Belgium), so having additional time to factor in long wait times is always to your benefit.

INCENTIVE PLANNERS: FOREWARNING HELPS Debbie adds, “We recognise that it is often a challenge for an incentive planner to know who

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TRAVEL

6

TIPS WHEN APPLYING FOR VISAS Rategang Moroke, operations manager at Corporate Traveller, shares these tips to help your visa application go a little more smoothly.

#1

Check your passport expiry date Numerous countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months after your return.

#2

will qualify for the reward. But if they can give us advance warning of what numbers they are expecting, and from which cities, we can forewarn the relevant issuing authorities, who will then anticipate the application and be better capacitated to deal with it. It just makes the whole process smoother – even if your numbers change from what you originally expected.”

Her other tip for group visa bookings is to include a company letter of invitation stating the purpose of the trip, the itinerary, and what the company will be covering (e.g. accommodation, meals, insurance, etc.), as well as a letter from the host country that is being visited (if applicable).

The bleisure trend is also seeing roughly half of incentive groups extending their trip with their own add-on, shares Debbie, adding, “This isn’t a problem, but it can affect how we need to do their visa application. For example, in the case of a group going to Italy for five days, if a person

wants to add on a seven day stay in the Netherlands it changes their profile and they need to apply for a Schengen visa through the Netherlands consulate and not through the Italian one. This can also mean that different documentation is required.” Once again, allowing a little extra time helps in these cases.

BARRIERS TO OBTAINING A VISA Andrew MacRae, the director of Execuserve SA, reminds visa applicants that embassies consider granting a visa as “a privilege, not a right”. “Your visa application needs to prove why you’re travelling, if you’re planning to return home, and if you’re a potential threat,” he says.

This is why certain factors could be considered a red flag against a visa applicant – such as being unmarried, having no children, a low bank balance, and even social media activity.

These factors could cause an applicant to be viewed as someone who could potentially stay in the country to work illegally.

Andrew adds that working with a visa specialist who understands visa requirements should help your chances of a successful application. He also echoes Debbie’s advice to allow as much time as possible for an application in case additional information is required. 4

Chat with travel experts ASAP Contact your travel manager sooner rather than later. They can help you determine what kind of visa you need based on your destination and nationality.

#3 #4

Sort out travel insurance When applying for a visa, you must show that you have travel insurance.

Keep up with rule changes Rules can change overnight. This is why it can help to work with a travel manager who can keep you posted about any changes that could affect your plans.

#5

Stay flexible with bookings Book flights and accommodation options that are less restrictive and more flexible.

This allows you to make changes and cancellations as needed.

#6

To this, Debbie Nicholson adds: Check your visa and travel documents It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure all their travel documents are in order, so make sure all of the details are correct: dates, names, passport number, etc.

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OFC & Gatefold

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IBC

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CSIR ICC

38

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SANCB

23

41

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37

Extraordinary Resorts Management Hospitality Junxion Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

32 & 33

Visa’s Unlimited

34 & 35

OBC

48 • THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 www.theplannerguru.co.za

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THE INCENTIVE PLANNER l 2023/24 •

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