AirlinePros unveils solution in South Africa as 2026’s authenticity trend drives client demands
AirlinePros International unveiled its Digital Destination Marketing Portal, FlyingCarpet.travel at its four-day International Assembly in Cape Town, targeting what industry insiders say is one of 2026’s biggest challenges: helping travel advisors find and book the authentic experiences their clients increasingly demand.
The Portal launch comes as travel professionals report a fundamental shift in client requests. Travellers are walking away from traditional tourist attractions, asking instead for cooking classes with local families, stays at community-owned lodges, and workshops with traditional craftspeople – experiences that until now have been nearly impossible for advisors to source and book.
“Travel advisors have been telling us for months that their clients want authentic experiences, but they can’t find them through normal booking channels,” said Achma Asokan Foster, Group CEO of AirlinePros International. “Nobody knows about the Trappist Trail in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, yet everyone talks about the Camino in Spain. We’re not talking about slightly off-the-beaten-path tours. Clients want the real thing: experiences that actually benefit local communities.”
The Aladdin’s world program on FlyingCarpet.Travel portal showcases previously hidden experiences like Zambia’s extraordinary bat migration at Kasanka National Park – where 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats create the world’s largest mammal migration from October to December – and South Africa’s Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail, a spiritual walking route through historic mission stations in KwaZulu-Natal that rivals Spain’s famous Camino routes.
Bridging NTOs, DMOs and Travel Advisors
Aladdin’s World, part of AirlinePros International’s expanding digital portfolio, serves as a destination marketing and fulfilment solution that bridges National Tourism Organisations, Destination Management Organisations, and travel advisors seeking bookable authentic experiences.
It provides travel advisors with integrated booking capabilities and real-time transactional features that traditional informational NTO sites lack. Unlike commoditised OTA platforms focused on price competition, Aladdin’s World emphasises destination uniqueness and quality while providing zero-cost core services for participating NTOs, removing barriers that previously prevented smaller destinations from accessing professional travel distribution networks.
Empowering SMEs Through Advanced Technology
The platform’s breakthrough lies in giving small and medium enterprises access to the same booking infrastructure available to major hotel chains and tour operators. Through the “Oasis” Local Supplier CMS & Booking Engine, currently under development, local artisans, family-run lodges, and community guides will manage real-time booking and multi-tier pricing through easy-to-use supplier dashboards.
“For the first time, a traditional craft workshop or family-run eco-lodge will be able to offer travel advisors the same instant booking confirmation and professional service standards as international operators,” Foster explained. Features include automated promotions, resource allocation tools, and supplier notification systems that level the playing field for authentic local providers.
AI-Powered Solutions Meet Market Demand
The timing addresses what industry research confirms is 2026’s defining travel trend: complete rejection of manufactured tourism experiences. Multiple industry reports highlight travellers prioritising cultural depth, meaningful experiences, and alternatives to ‘overtourised’ destinations.
Travel advisors benefit from the platform’s “Genie” AI-Powered Destination Trip Planner, which provides smart recommendations and itinerary adjustments, plus data-driven marketing insights that traditional platforms don’t offer. One-click booking capabilities for flights, hotels and tours streamline the booking process, while interactive chatbot and voice command features enhance user experience.
Industry Recognition and Global Reach
Operating across over 60 countries through AirlinePros’ established network, the platform leverages decades of airline industry expertise to provide the reliability travel advisors need while connecting them with experiences previously accessible only through complex local arrangements.
The Cape Town assembly brought together representatives from nearly 70 global offices, aviation and tourism leaders, and media professionals exploring pressing industry themes from sustainability to AI integration, highlighting the platform’s strategic timing as the industry addresses evolving client demands.
As UN Tourism’s Elcia Grandcourt notes: “What visitors don’t see is how tourism preserves culture, creates opportunities for young people to thrive in their communities, and safeguards biodiversity.” The platform directly supports this by ensuring booking revenue flows to local providers rather than international intermediaries.
For more information, or interview opportunities, please contact Michelle Loewenstein at mich@bigambitions.co.za