THEPartnership

United Airlines is seeking regulatory approval to launch non-stop, weekly service between Washington Dulles and Cape Town effective November 17 2022 utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This service will be in addition to UAs’ Newark – Johannesburg and Newark – Cape Town flights. "We're delighted to welcome the additional flight directly into Cape Town," said Daryl Keywood, managing director of Walthers Destination Business Solutions in South Africa. "It brings more options and added convenience both to our guests and travel organizers."

Delighted to reprint an informed outlook by Daryl Keywood, managing director and owner of Walthers Business Solutions on the future of incentive travel to Africa, recently published in Business Events Magazine. Daryl and Heidi will both be at IMEX Frankfurt on Booth Numbers C500 (South Africa) and F690 (Euromic) – please click the What's App button and type DARYL and/or HEIDI in the content box and we'll be in touch to confirm an appointment that is convenient to you.

Incentive travel delivery has evolved from the sometimes-lavish programs of yester-year, with many Incentives eschewing the glam for more authentic experiences. That does not mean that the Wow factor has gone, but rather that participants as well as the Corporates running Incentive programs have become both more environmentally and socially aware. This is also a reflection of the values of a younger incentive-qualifier demographic, who are more comfortable posting experiences and their participation in give-back/CSR projects than hanging out at glamorous venues.
This is good news for Africa, as the Continent has a wealth of experiences that relatively few participants from our source markets have done before. Africa also has incredible opportunities for contributing to social projects, communities as well as environmental and conservation projects. We have seen an increase in demand to include CSR elements, usually taking a half or full day of a typical five-day program. Examples vary from assisting a needy community, to rhino tagging or other ethical wildlife-related Conservation elements.
It is encouraging to see that “Instagrammers” feel that it is far cooler to share an image of oneself posing with the rhino conservation team, having just completed much needed research to protect the species, than hanging out in a fancy night club, hotel or restaurant.
The term “Mindfulness” describes this shift, a movement that will hopefully grow and become the norm for all Incentive programs. Mindfulness is simply a concern for any impact one’s visit might have, and the urge to contribute, and to depart having left a legacy following the trip. It’s a great opportunity for organizations to create closer relationships with high performing employees. Companies that show a high level of Corporate Responsibility are attractive to job seekers and enjoy greater employee retention rates as they are viewed as cool places to work.
SITE’s Annual Incentive Travel Index shows how this trend is growing in importance. Thankfully program designers are acknowledging the participants desire to do more than tick off another city or destination and its highlights. It is more about "what I did when I was there" than "what I saw, where I stayed or what I ate".
We can also no longer treat an Incentive group as one amorphous body. Differing interests need to be catered for and this creates a challenge for both planners and DMC’s. If a multi-generational group were to visit a destination on a private holiday, they would likely do and experience different things. Incentive trips need to acknowledge this by including free time and optional activities that cater to those needs.
At the end of the day catering to a Mindful group of participants is both challenging and rewarding. It is easier to pack a group of Incentive qualifiers onto a coach for a group experience than to offer a selection of different optional experiences. Forward thinking organizations are however, realizing that by enabling participants to select certain elements of a program, that many do opt to participate in CSR and other activities which are more meaningful. We have also seen elements such as room drop gifts shift from aspirational brand items to impact sourcing of sustainable crafts and other locally sourced gifts.
Incentive travel is evolving in a positive direction and although Business Results and ROI are the prime drivers of Incentive travel programs, the optics from both the organization and participant perspectives reflect an increase in responsibility and social awareness that bodes well for its future.