Since its launch on 3 May, the Big Red Sale has delivered hundreds of unbeatable deals for destinations near and far, including savings of up to 50% on holidays and tours with operators like Trafalgar and Intrepid, and savings of up to 30% on cruises with cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

“With just 10 days remaining, Flight Centre encourages everyone to act fast and secure their dream getaway before the Big Red Sale ends,” said Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa.

“With the exchange rate working against South Africans, these deals offer the chance for prospective travellers to journey somewhere on their bucket list they might not ordinarily be able to afford. It’s Flight Centre’s way of giving back to our clients for their unwavering support, particularly over the past few years.” According to Flight Centre’s ‘South Africa’s Year in Travel 2023’ report, Mauritius, Zanzibar, the Maldives, Singapore, and Dubai were all predicted to be amongst South Africans’ top 10 destinations for 2024 (and many are visa-free). The Big Red Sale covers all these destinations and more.

“Those in search of a beach holiday can save up to R21,749 on a 7-night half-board escape for two to Mauritius, with a total package price of only *R32,285 return,” Turner said.

Additionally, a 4-night MSC Cruise voyage to Mozambique is available from just *R7,375 per person sharing – which is a saving of up to R1,700 per person.”

With 44 stores across South Africa and a team of dedicated Travel Experts, Flight Centre is ready to help South Africans plan the perfect getaway for less. Interested parties can visit their nearest Flight Centre store or browse Big Red Sale deals online at www.flightcentre.co.za.

*Price quoted is a per person sharing rate and correct at the time of print. Prices are dependent on availability or until the sale ends.

Until now, getting to the island destination involved taking charter flights or flying into Dar Es Salaam or Nairobi and transferring from there. However, with the introduction of FlySafair’s new weekly flight, it is back on the map as an attractive destination for South African travellers.

“Zanzibar is now within reach for many more South Africans, thanks to this direct, convenient and affordable flight option. We believe this route will become a popular choice for those seeking an alternative to other Indian Ocean destinations, just as it was when Mango Airlines operated their popular route from Johannesburg to Zanzibar,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre.

According to Turner, Zanzibar is generally more affordable as a destination compared to Mauritius, although this can vary based on the type of accommodation you choose.

“Flight Centre experienced a surge in demand for Tanzania as a travel destination between July to November 2022. With the availability of new flight options, we are excited to provide Flight Centre customers with exciting deals with our partners in 2023,” says Turner.

FlySafair has confirmed that the high demand for chartered flights to Zanzibar was the primary factor that motivated them to add this route to their schedule. The new direct route offers similar time savings, but is more affordable.

The new FlySafair service to Zanzibar was announced on March 13. Bookings for the route, which connects OR Tambo (JNB) and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar will commence on April 8. The flights will initially operate once a week, with a same-day return. FlySafair has scheduled the weekly flight for Saturdays, and airfares will start from R2 950 one way.

“The timing of this new route is perfect, as it provides South African holidaymakers with more options to enjoy their Easter break and plan ahead for the winter holidays. Data analysis indicates that the months of March and April experience peak levels of occupancy with the highest number of room nights booked and we predict families with school-going children will also take advantage of the packages we will offer for June and July,” remarks Turner.

The most popular properties in Zanzibar for South Africans, according to Flight Centre, are Uroa Bay Beach Resort, Paradise Beach Resort & Spa and Zanzibar Bay Resort & Spa on the east coast; Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Hotel on the west coast; and Hotel Riu Jambo in the north of the island.

Turner has the following recommendations for those looking to book for the Easter break or beyond, all of which have all-inclusive options:

• The reasonably-priced Uroa Bay Beach Resort allows you to fully enjoy all that Zanzibar has to offer as a group or family. Opting for a half-board package can come in handy if you plan to venture out of your resort and explore, as it enables you to have quick, on-the-go lunches without feeling obligated to return to eat.
• For honeymooners, the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Hotel, which offers an all-inclusive package along with a range of amazing activities, is ideal. The resort’s scenic beauty also makes for some stunning photographs that honeymooners can take back as souvenirs for their families. Further north, the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Jambo is another stunning option for couples and families.
• If you’re looking for a diverse range of experiences, Zanzibar Bay Resort & Spa and Paradise Beach Resort & Spa are great options to consider. As they are sister resorts, travellers can easily switch between the two for meals and activities with prior arrangements.

For more information about Flight Centre, or to interview Flight Centre South Africa GM Antoinette Turner, call Kim Taylor on 076 825 5508 or kim@bigambitions.co.za.

PRESS RELEASE

AfricaStay and kulula.com are flying to Zanzibar

• AfricaStay, in partnership with kulula.com, offers two direct charter flights a week to the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar
• The Tuesday/Saturday flights, which can only be booked through AfricaStay, make travel to Zanzibar easier than ever before

JOHANNESBURG, 19 MAY 2022 – AfricaStay, in partnership with kulula.com, has announced the launch of twice-weekly direct charter flights to Zanzibar as of Tuesday, 17 May 2022.

The return flights, which can only be booked through AfricaStay, will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays:

• MN8301 departs JNB at 8:00 AM and arrives in ZNZ at 12:35 (local time)
• MN8302 departs ZNZ at 13:25PM and arrives in JNB at 16:10 (local time)

The new service, which is operated on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured to 189 seats in economy, comes in response to increased demand from South African travellers for Zanzibar

Marian Sandu, director of AfricaStay said, “South Africans love Zanzibar. We started the Zanzibar Direct Charter Flights in September 2021 and to date we have successfully operated over 60 charter flights carrying over 10 000 passengers to Zanzibar. Going forward, we are seeing significant demand and we will continue to market Zanzibar extensively.”

Sandu says the AfricaStay team is excited about the partnership with kulula.com and Comair: “At only 3 hours and 35 minutes flying time from Johannesburg, Zanzibar has never been so close. We are extremely excited about the partnership, and we are looking forward to bigger things to come!”

Desmond O’Connor, chief commercial officer at kulula.com, commented on the announcement saying: “Although it’s a charter and passengers can’t book directly with kulula, we’re thrilled to be flying regionally within Africa, and on such a popular route.”

Zanzibar flights can be booked online on https://holidays.africastay.com/zanzibar-flights/

For more information, contact:

AfricaStay.com

Tel 011 592 9000

Email: sales@africastay.com

Web: https://holidays.africastay.com/

***Ends***

AfricaStay is the wholesale division of Silver Peach Marketing. Established in 2004, AfricaStay is one of the fastest-growing travel companies in South Africa. Specializing in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, the company has grown significantly over the last 15 years and today our product portfolio includes a variety of popular holiday destinations where we boast first-hand knowledge and unbeatable offerings. When it comes to Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, we have the best deals. Our philosophy is to offer superior customer service and expert advice to our valued partners all whilst delivering value-for-money vacation offers.