AIR BELGIUM TOUCHES DOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA

With the launch of their new air service between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town, Air Belgium offers travellers more choice and convenience – and direct access to the heart of Europe.

JOHANNESBURG, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 – Air Belgium’s arrival in South Africa today marks the airline’s first foray into Africa.

Flights aboard the airline’s modern A330neo will depart Brussels every Wednesday and Sunday at 19:45 – arriving in Johannesburg at 7:15 the next day, with continuation to Cape Town. South Africans heading to Europe will be able to fly from Cape Town International (with a short stop in Johannesburg) or OR Tambo every Monday and Thursday. The flight offers 30 seats in Business Class, 21 seats in Premium Class and 235 Economy Class seats.

“It is an exciting and important chapter for Air Belgium,” says CEO Niky Terzakis. “But we’re equally thrilled to introduce South Africans to a new airline and an alternative route – and thereby direct access to the heart of Europe.”

According to Terzakis, Air Belgium is committed to offering passengers an experience that is affordable, comfortable, hassle-free, green, and trustworthy.

“We often talk about ‘Belgitude’, and our motto is ‘Fly Belgian Class’, which is all about bringing joy back to international travel,” says Terzakis. “And while our travellers value our fun and engaging approach to travel, we also deliver what really matters: a safe, seamless journey; transparent billing (no hidden fees); and a generous luggage allowance. What’s more is that we offer travellers an environmentally-friendly travel option as the Airbus A330neo consumes on average 25% less fuel compared to previous generation aircraft. Lower fuel consumption also means less CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. Our aircraft offer what is best in comfort aboard: reduced noise level, mod-lighting, and state-of-the art inflight entertainment with WI-FI and internet connection throughout the flight.”

Fares start at R 11,569 for an all-in return ticket between Johannesburg and Brussels and passengers are allowed 30 kg baggage allowance free.

“Of course, for South Africans the real drawcard is Brussels,” says Terzakis. “Not only is it the gateway to Europe, with high-speed trains connecting the city to hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam in a couple of hours, but it is also a destination in its own right, with visitors delighting in its rich heritage, food, culture and Belgian spirit.”

The twice-weekly flights are good news for business travellers as Belgium is currently South Africa’s 6^th largest trading partner as well as the Western Cape’s 7^th largest European export market. As such, Belgium is ideally positioned to capture the interest of the corporate and government sectors in South Africa.

“I welcome Air Belgium’s new triangular route between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Whether for leisure travel or business travel, this flight will undoubtedly *contribute to boosting* the country’s tourism, its economy and job creation,” says South African Tourism Chief Operations Officer, Nomasonto Ndlovu. She adds that international arrivals to South Africa are increasing steadily, and each new route and connection should be celebrated.

She said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Air Belgium team, and it’s fitting that their first flight arrives in the middle of September, which is Tourism Month in South Africa, when we celebrate, champion, and recognise the importance of our tourism industry.”

For more information, visit www.airbelgium.com

For additional questions or to arrange interviews with Air Belgium, please reach out to Dorine Reinstein, Big Ambitions, on +27 (0)83 278 8994 or dorine@bigambitions.co.za

For South African Tourism: For additional questions or to arrange interviews, please reach out to Thandiwe Mathibela – GM for Global PR, Communications and Stakeholder Relations thandiwe@southafrica.net

Route facts

-ENDS-

About Air Belgium

Air Belgium SA is a company under Belgian law with its registered office in Mont-Saint-Guibert in Walloon Brabant. Its purpose is to offer direct intercontinental flights from Belgium. Exclusively devoted to long-haul flights at competitive fares for business and leisure travellers with a strong Belgian identity felt through all its ground and in-flight services.

Air Belgium’s main operational base is located at Brussels Charleroi Airport. Air Belgium also operates from other airports in Belgium and Europe. Beyond its own regular routes, Air Belgium also provides services for many prestigious foreign companies, tour operators, cruise operators and foreign governments.

Issued By

Big Ambitions

Dorine Reinstein (SA)

dorine@bigambitions.co.za

+27 83 278 8994

South African wanderlust for travel above global average – TLN survey reveals

• World’s largest survey of travel intentions from Travel Lifestyle Network reveals key drivers impacting South Africans’ choice of destination
• High interest in domestic travel a game-changing opportunity for South Africa

CAPE TOWN, 1 AUGUST 2022 – South Africans’ wanderlust for travel may be above the global average, but the market’s travel purchasing behaviour falls below that of other markets.

This according to the world’s largest survey of travel intentions from leading PR consultancy group Travel Lifestyle Network (TLN) which was compiled for TLN by Thrive and market intelligence firm AudienceNet and released this week.

Some 179,446 people in 28 countries, including South Africa, were surveyed by Global Web Index during the first quarter of 2022, revealing that value for money and a relaxing experience were the key global drivers when choosing a holiday destination.

Value for money certainly featured highly amongst the South Africans polled, with 43% indicating that this would have the most impact on their destination selection, compared with 26% of their global counterparts. At least 27% of South Africans indicated that their destination choice would be made based on the experience being relaxing, while 20% were looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and 23% a special offer or deal.

“Interestingly, we saw the percentage of South Africans who see travel as a personal interest (58%) was above the global average of 46%, while 64% of South Africans identified with ‘I like to explore the world as a describes-me statement’ compared with the global average of 46%.

“However, when you look at the actual percentage in the survey results that travel, whether locally, regionally or internationally, this is below the global average,” says Natalia Rosa, CEO of Big Ambitions, which is the South Africa member of the Travel Lifestyle Network.

Only 5% of South Africans surveyed had travelled for leisure overseas in the past three to six months, while 15% had bought a travel ticket in the same period. The survey revealed that only 9% were planning to holiday overseas and 19% were planning to buy a travel ticket.

With the launch of South African Tourism’s Sho’t Left Travel Week in September, a real opportunity exists for domestic travel, with the survey indicating that 67% of those polled have a domestic holiday once a year or more; and 22% once every six months. At least a quarter of South Africans are planning on taking a domestic holiday, according to the survey.

The global outlook for domestic holidays in comparison is the same, however, only 13% have plans to travel internationally, according to the report.

When consumers were asked what factors tended to influence their decision as to where they travelled, value for money emerged as the number one consideration (26%); having a relaxing experience (21%); the weather/time of the year (20%); a cultural experience (15%); a once-in-a-lifetime experience (15%); being able to visit friends/family (13%); and good facilities for children/families (12%).

In the context of the evolving cost-of-living crisis, with inflation rates soaring in many countries, the travel industry needs to contend with consumer concerns relating to the price of travel. With value for money the factor that has most impact on decisions about where to travel on vacation for just over a quarter (26%), affordability is likely to have a significant impact on travel-related purchasing in the second half of 2022 and into 2023.

Overall, the survey discovered that wanderlust abounds with a strong desire to seize the experiences that travel offers in the post-Covid climate. Asked if they were “someone who likes to explore the world”, consumers were highly positive in all regions: Middle East and Africa (60%); North America (51%); Europe (49%); Asia-Pacific (44%); and Latin America (43%).

Survey respondents were asked what they had missed most during the pandemic and cited: exploring new places; a change of scenery; spending time with loved ones; relaxing or sunbathing; and eating different foods.

Says Virginie Le Norgant, Travel Lifestyle Network President: “Our report clearly shows how the rising cost of living is influencing every travel decision made today. This global survey highlights how an increasing number of consumers are seeking value-for-money when booking their leisure trip. Price, not necessarily quality, is going to be a key differentiator to attract consumer spend in the remainder of 2022 and in early 2023.”

To download the full TLN State of Travel Global Survey, click here.

For further information about TLN, visit www.travellifestylenetwork.com or email hello@travellifestylenetwork.com

For more information about Big Ambitions, visit www.bigambitions.co.za or email info@bigambitions.co.za