Africa bucks downward trend in long-haul travel

Claims that Europe’s long-haul business is slowing due to higher fares have been refuted by one of the UK’s leading tour operators to Africa. Somak Holidays says bookings to African countries are on the increase and demand is stronger than ever before.

Earlier this week it was reported the head of Europe’s largest travel company, TUI Travel plc admitted demand for long-haul travel was slowing as customers respond to higher air fares.

Somak says it has seen a 12.3 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings to Tanzania and a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings to Southern Africa.

However, the biggest growth area is in holidays to Zanzibar.

“UK travellers are more in love with Africa than ever before,” said Ash Sofat, Chief Executive of Somak Holidays.

“Africa represents real value at the moment due to weak currencies, particularly in South Africa where the rand has fallen to 16.36 to the £ (in January the exchange rate was around 11 – 12ZAR to the £).

Even Kenya, which got off to a difficult start to the year, following the civil unrest in January has bounced back. Year-on-year, Somak Holidays’ passenger numbers to Kenya are on a par with 2007 but week-on-week figures since 1 October are 15 – 30 per cent higher this year than the same week last year since 1 October.

“We are delighted to see that Kenya is back in demand and have also seen an increasing number of our clients insisting on taking environmentally responsible safaris, here” says Sofat.

In addition even African countries which use the dollar – which is currently strengthening against Sterling - are discounting holidays to compete with the value being offered by their neighbours.

A sample package to Kenya from Somak Holidays:

4* TENTED BEACH RETREAT, GAZI BAY
Owned by the Cove community, the secluded retreat is an intimate collection of 12 Arabian-designed tents dotted along the white sand of Gazi Bay in Mombasa. The ideology of the Cove community is the encouragement of local participation in the running of the retreats, preservation of the Cove as a natural area and integration with local tribes.

This exclusive hideaway offers a true ‘back to nature’ experience. Close to the beach and surrounded by a natural habitat, guests can indulge in utter luxury inside their private tent where an attentive butler caters to their every whim. Each deluxe tent has a four-poster bed, dressing table, bathroom with large shower area, air conditioning, mini-bar and a lounge area leading onto a patio that overlooks the swimming pool. Breakfast is served on the tent patio, lunch is chosen from the snack grill and there is dinner at the restaurant. Activities available during the day include bush walks, a guided visit to the nearby mangrove forests, heritage visits, diving and deep sea fishing, water sports, sunset cruises and rejuvenating treatments at the retreat’s health parlour.

Prices start from £919 per person for 14 nights on an all inclusive basis, including return flights with Kenya Airways from London Heathrow.

For more information or to book go to Somak.co.uk.