South African travellers planning to visit both Zambia and Namibia can use Proflight Zambia’s Lusaka–Windhoek service to travel between the two countries in either direction. Flights will operate non-stop from November 2026 to March 2027, saving travellers approximately one hour in travel time. From April to October 2027 – peak tourism season in Livingstone, Zambia’s gateway to Victoria Falls – flights will route via Livingstone. Passengers travelling between Windhoek and Livingstone can book the journey as a single itinerary.

For example, travellers could fly from Johannesburg to Lusaka, explore Zambia, then continue to Windhoek before returning to South Africa. The journey can also be planned in reverse, starting in Namibia and flying from Windhoek to Lusaka before exploring Zambia. Furthermore, travellers flying from Windhoek can connect through Lusaka to Proflight Zambia’s domestic network, including Livingstone, Mfuwe, and Ndola. Connections depend on travel dates and schedules. 

Captain Josias Walubita, Proflight Zambia’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs, said: “This change reflects our continued efforts to tailor our services to passenger demand and travel patterns, making journeys between the two capitals quicker and more convenient.”

During November and December 2026, flights will depart Lusaka at 10:35 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Windhoek at 12:40. Return flights will depart Windhoek at 13:20 and arrive in Lusaka at 15:30. From 2027, the operating days will change to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

“Passengers travelling to Livingstone can still connect easily through Lusaka using our existing domestic flights,” said Captain Walubita. “This means we are making travel between Zambia and Namibia more direct, while ensuring that Livingstone, one of Zambia’s key tourism destinations, remains easily accessible to both local and international travellers throughout the year.”

For South African travellers, Proflight Zambia also operates services between Johannesburg and Lusaka, and between Cape Town and Lusaka via Livingstone. These routes offer additional options when planning a wider trip through the region.

For flight schedules and bookings, visit flyzambia.com.

On sale today, the seasonal service will operate through Sydney’s summer period until March 2028 on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Together with Qantas’ existing direct services from Johannesburg to Perth and Sydney, the new route will give South African customers more choice when travelling to Australia and enable more onward access across Qantas’ domestic network to cities including Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as across the Tasman to New Zealand.  

Once launched, it will add almost 30,000 seats between South Africa and Australia and is made possible by the introduction of new Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft arriving in late 2027 as part of the largest fleet renewal in the airline’s history.   

The route will help bring families and friends closer together, with more than 224,000** South African-born people calling Australia home, making it the country’s seventh-largest migrant community.  

It comes 75 years after the airline operated its first scheduled passenger service to South Africa. In 1952, the Wallaby Route to Johannesburg took 66 hours via Perth, the Cocos Islands and Mauritius.  

Comments from Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:  

“Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities and Australia’s appetite to visit has never been stronger. Our new direct flights from Sydney to Cape Town will make it easier for more Australians to experience everything the Western Cape has to offer, bringing more visitors directly into the region and supporting its tourism economy. 

“At the same time, South Africans will have a new seamless way to travel to Australia, whether that’s to visit family and friends, explore the country or connect onwards through our domestic network. The timing also couldn’t be better with the Rugby World Cup in Australia taking place just as our flights begin, giving Springboks fans a new direct way to travel to Sydney for the biggest games of the tournament.” 

Comments from Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander:  

“Direct air access is one of the most important drivers of tourism growth, which is why the launch of the new Sydney-Cape Town service is such a significant development for the Western Cape.  

“Australia is an important and growing tourism market for our destination and this route will unlock new opportunities for tourism, trade, investment and business exchange, while making it easier than ever for Australian travellers to visit our region.  

“It will also support job creation and help grow the visitor economy across the Western Cape, further cementing Cape Town and the Western Cape’s position as a leading gateway to Africa and a destination that is open for business.” 

Key information:  

• Cape Town (CPT) to Sydney (SYD) will operate as QF90, with the inaugural flight departing on 19 October 2027 and operating until 25 March 2028*.  

• The route will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner 3 times per week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.  

• QF90 is scheduled to depart Cape Town at 16:40 and arrive in Sydney at 13:45+1day  

• Economy return fares start from ZAR20,499.  

Imagery and video content is available here. 

Visit the official Qantas website here 

*Subject to government and regulatory approval.  

**Department of Home Affairs South Africa Country Profile  

***Fares based on travel during low season and are subject to availability at time of booking 

• Norwegian Bella™ to be the Grand Finale in NCL’s Groundbreaking Prima Class

JOHANNESBURG – 21 October, 2026 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the industry leader in delivering freedom and choice in experiences with uncompromising hospitality, today opened for sale its next cutting-edge vessel, Norwegian Bella™, which will offer seven-day round-trip Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, Spain beginning in May 2028.

At approximately 1,129 feet long and 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Bella will accommodate 3,921 guests at double occupancy and will join Norwegian Aura as the largest ships in the NCL fleet. Her inaugural season of voyages will include an unparalleled way for guests to experience Europe’s most captivating destinations, including Rome, Florence and Salerno, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

On board, Norwegian Bella will offer similar experiences to Norwegian Aura, the Company’s latest vessel due for delivery in May 2027. With Norwegian Bella sailing in Europe and Norwegian Aura in the Caribbean, NCL will bring its newest guest experiences to two of the world’s top cruise destinations. Both vessels are currently being built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with interior designs created by world-class architects AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design, and Studio Dado.

“Norwegian Bella marks a milestone moment in our fleet as the culmination of our award-winning Prima Class,” said Gary Anslow, Vice President MEA, at Norwegian Cruise Line. “Drawing on the innovations and guest feedback that have shaped the class from the very beginning, Norwegian Bella brings together our most sought-after experiences in one extraordinary ship. From enhanced outdoor spaces and family-friendly attractions to elevated venues for relaxation and connection, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the freedom and flexibility to vacation exactly how they want to, without anyone having to compromise. We look forward to welcoming guests to discover the Mediterranean with us aboard Norwegian Bella.”

Norwegian Bella showcases a collection of elevated experiences, including:

OCEAN HEIGHTS: OPEN-AIR ACTIVITIES FROM DAY TO NIGHT

Spanning decks 18 through 21, Ocean Heights™ is the multi-level, open-air complex that transforms throughout the day, serving as a sun-soaked playground by afternoon that evolves into a vibrant social hub under the stars with immersive lighting and LED projections at night.

From friendly competition to heart-pounding thrills, Norwegian Bella delivers unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages. Adventure seekers can race side-by-side on Eclipse Racers, take the plunge on the Bella Free Fall waterslide or experience The Wave, a pendulum-style raft slide accommodating up to four riders. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, travellers can brave The Drop, the signature Prima Class dry slide that sends guests speeding down 10 decks in a matter of seconds. The excitement continues with the Bella Ropes Course; the Bella Midway, which brings classic carnival-inspired fun to sea and on deck 20, guests can perfect their putt on the nine-hole mini golf course or discover Moon Climber, a vibrant, multi-level harness-free adventure course.

OCEAN BOULEVARD: OCEAN VIEWS, FAMILY SPACES AND INFINITY BEACH

Wrapping the entire ship on deck eight, Norwegian Bella’s Ocean Boulevard is the signature Prima Class promenade, now enhanced with additional seating compared to Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, featuring hot tubs and an outdoor bar. At the heart of the experience is Infinity Beach, where guests can enjoy stunning infinity pools, upscale daybeds, hot tubs and a full-service outdoor bar.

Dedicated spaces for younger guests include Little Explorers’ Cay complete with a playhouse and slides for ages two to six; Adventure Alley offering ages six to 10 an immersive playground filled with crawl spaces, winding tunnels and imaginative ocean-inspired adventures; and teens can claim their own hangout at Surf’s Bay, a contemporary retreat with a striking surf wall photo installation for the best selfies at sea.

EXPANDED POOL DECK, FAMILY WATER PLAY AND AN ADULTS-ONLY ESCAPE

Over 15% larger than Norwegian Aqua’s and Norwegian Luna’s pool decks, Norwegian Bella’s expansive pool deck features more space and seating, an infinity hot tub and a large LED entertainment screen, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxing days at sea.

The top deck action continues with the Kids’ Aqua Park, featuring a reimagined splash pad design and interactive water features for young cruisers. Nearby are two family-fun waterslides – The Party Slide, a wide and shallow slide perfect for families and friends to enjoy together, and Infinity Loop, a figure-eight slide. Guests looking for more sun-soaked fun with beautiful views of the ocean can enjoy ample lounging and outdoor lawn games at Horizon Park on deck 19.

For cruisers seeking a more elevated escape, Vibe Beach Club delivers NCL’s signature adults-only experience in a sophisticated atmosphere, complete with infinity hot tubs, a central oceanfront bar, enhanced relaxation areas, sun loungers and luxurious daybeds.

WELL-APPOINTED ACCOMMODATIONS AND UNPARALLELED LUXURY IN THE HAVEN BY NORWEGIAN^®

Norwegian Bella offers nearly 2,000 staterooms with a variety of thoughtfully designed accommodations, ranging from inside staterooms and studios to spacious balcony staterooms. With the diverse range of staterooms, every type of traveller, including families and multigenerational groups, can feel comfortable at sea while experiencing NCL’s uncompromising hospitality and genuine service.

The ship will include 159 suites within The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s exclusive, keycard-access ship-within-a-ship experience. Designed by Piero Lissoni, The Haven will be located aft and offer private elevators, a sundeck with an infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna and cold room, and separate family-friendly and adults-only areas. Haven guests will also have access to a private restaurant and bar with exclusive menu offerings, as well as a lounge.  Additional benefits include 24-hour butler and concierge service, as well as priority embarkation, disembarkation and reservations.

DAZZLING, EYE-CATCHING NEW HULL ART

Continuing NCL’s tradition of partnering with renowned artists to create iconic hull artwork across its fleet, Norwegian Bella will feature a striking original design by acclaimed Australian contemporary artist George Rose. Known for her bold murals and vibrant botanical compositions, Rose creates immersive works that blend fine art and design through vivid colour, fluid gradients and graphic natural forms. With a career spanning more than 15 years, Rose has worked across cultural, public and commercial contexts internationally including work with STRAAT Museum Amsterdam, the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, Colab Gallery Germany, and brands such as Instagram, Nike and TikTok.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Rose said, “Designing the hull art for Norwegian Bella was an opportunity to capture the sense of wonder that travel inspires. Through vibrant colour, organic forms and a feeling of movement, I wanted to create a piece that reflects the excitement of exploration and discovery. I’m looking forward to seeing my artwork come to life on a ship that will visit some of Europe’s most remarkable destinations, and I hope it becomes part of the memories guests create throughout their journey.”

For images and b-roll of Norwegian Bella, visit the press kit here.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call +27 087 550 3914 or visit www.ncl.com.

Hon. Shariff Ali Shariff, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Labour, Economy and Investment), officially opened Essence of Africa 2026 last night at Diamonds Bijoux, a Planhotel Hospitality Group hotel. Over three days, 178 pre-qualified international buyers from 40 countries are meeting 162 exhibiting companies, bringing an international travel trade audience to Zanzibar.

Speaking on behalf of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the Minister said hosting Essence of Africa supports the islands’ plans to attract more international meetings and events. It also gives Zanzibar an opportunity to introduce its tourism products to buyers from established and emerging international markets

“Zanzibar is no longer just a destination for holidays,” he said. “We are also a destination for international conferences, business meetings, entertainment, cultural celebrations and global networking.”

Opened in February 2026, Diamonds Bijoux is a five-star, all-inclusive beachfront resort on Zanzibar’s southeast coast, between Bwejuu and Dongwe. Its conference facilities add to the island’s capacity to host international business events, while Essence of Africa gives Zanzibar an opportunity to demonstrate its appeal as a meetings destination.

The government also wants visitors to explore Zanzibar beyond its beaches, with a focus on culture, food, wellness, sports, and halal and family travel.

“We want visitors to come for our beaches, but stay longer for everything else Zanzibar has to offer,” said the Minister.

The push to diversify comes as Zanzibar records its highest visitor numbers to date. According to the Minister, the islands welcomed 917,167 international visitors in 2025, up approximately 24.5% on 2024. More than 633,000 arrived between January and August 2026, including a monthly record of more than 124,000 in August.

“Our ambition is not simply to welcome more visitors. It is to ensure that every visitor contributes more to our economy and that the benefits of tourism reach more of our people,” said the Minister.

The Minister also encouraged buyers and investors to look beyond Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island, to Pemba. He said the government plans to improve infrastructure and connectivity to attract investment in ecotourism, boutique resorts, wellness retreats and marine tourism, while preserving Pemba’s distinct character.

“We do not want Pemba to become another Unguja. We want it to develop its own identity and offer visitors something different,” he said.

Zanzibar air capacity set to grow 33%

Virginia Messina, CEO of ATTA®, the African Travel and Tourism Association, said airline seat capacity into Zanzibar had grown by more than 11% over the past year and was projected to increase by 33% over the next six months.

The figures, produced by ATTA® in partnership with The Data Appeal Company, also show that seat capacity across East Africa grew by 3.6% this summer, with long-haul capacity increasing by 7%. Messina welcomed British Airways’ announcement of a new service to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from May 2027.

“Growth alone cannot be our measure of success. We need the right policies and frameworks to turn growth into long-term value for destinations and communities, while protecting the very things that make Africa such a wonderful place,” she said.

Largest Essence of Africa to date

Essence of Africa is a private-sector-led initiative of On Show Solutions and ATTA®, bringing African tourism businesses together with the international buyers who sell the continent.

This third edition, following Nairobi in 2024 and Malindi, Kenya, in 2025, is the largest to date. It brings together 162 exhibiting companies, up 53% since the inaugural event, and 178 international buyers from 40 countries. Almost 75% of the buyers are attending for the first time. East African businesses account for 79% of exhibitors, while Europe is the largest buyer source region at 39%, followed by the Americas at 23% and Asia-Pacific at 19%.

Jacqui Reynolds, Co-Founder of Essence of Africa, said the forum was created to give African tourism businesses direct access to international buyers who could bring them new business.

Several buyers have already taken part in familiarisation trips around Zanzibar, giving them firsthand experience of the destination before meeting exhibitors. For local tourism businesses, the event offers an opportunity to build relationships with international buyers who could include Zanzibar in future travel programmes.

“Essence has never simply been about getting bigger,” said Reynolds. “It is about getting the right people into the room. It is about the quality of the conversations that happen over the next few days, the relationships that begin here, and ultimately the business that comes back to Africa as a result.”

Reynolds thanked the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism for helping bring the event to the island.

Essence of Africa 2026 runs at Diamonds Bijoux until 22 October.

– New 10- and Nine-Day Voyages Visit Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and the Greek Isles Before the Ship Begins Caribbean Cruises from Miami –

JOHANNESBURG: 12 October, 2026 – Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) has announced that two new inaugural Mediterranean sailings aboard Norwegian Aura™ are now open for sale. The new voyages, made possible by the ship’s anticipated early delivery, mark the first opportunities for guests to sail aboard Norwegian Aura, NCL’s newest and largest ship, beginning May 2, 2027.

Norwegian Aura’s newly added inaugural Mediterranean sailings include a 10-day voyage from Trieste, Italy, to Athens (Piraeus), Greece departing May 2, 2027 and a nine-day voyage from Athens (Piraeus), Greece, to Trieste, Italy, departing May 12, 2027. The 10-day itinerary will call to Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia; Bar, Montenegro; and Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece, and the nine-day sailing will visit Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and Corfu, Greece; Bar, Montenegro; and Split and Zadar, Croatia. Together, the newly released voyages give travellers the opportunity to be the first to experience Norwegian Aura during her inaugural season while visiting bucket-list Mediterranean ports.

“The early delivery of Norwegian Aura allows us to welcome guests aboard sooner than expected and begin creating unforgettable vacation experiences earlier than planned,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “As our largest and most innovative ship yet, Norwegian Aura was designed to bring families and travellers of every generation together, with more freedom, choice and ways to enjoy their ideal vacation so no one has to compromise on their experience. We’re thrilled to open these inaugural Mediterranean sailings and look forward to welcoming our first guests aboard and introducing them to the ship’s new entertainment, dining, wellness and innovative family-friendly experiences.”

Norwegian Aura will be NCL’s largest and longest ship to date at nearly 1,130 feet long and approximately 170,000 gross tons. The ship will be 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua® and Norwegian Luna® and will feature Ocean Heights™, a first-in-the-fleet outdoor activities complex spanning decks 18 through 21. Ocean Heights will include Eclipse Racers, NCL’s first dueling mat racer waterslides; Aura Free Fall, a drop-in body waterslide; the 82-foot Aura Ropes Course; Moon Climber obstacle course; Aura Midway with carnival-style games; and dedicated areas for children, teens and families. Norwegian Aura will also offer NCL’s largest pool deck and largest Vibe Beach Club to date.

Guests sailing aboard the new inaugural voyages will also be among the first to experience Norwegian Aura’s all-new entertainment lineup, including “Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston,” developed in partnership with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music; “ILLUMINOX: Infinite Wonder Unboxed™”; The Vinyl Republic™; Aura FIRST NIGHT™; and Latin LIVE!™.

Norwegian Aura will introduce new dining and wellness experiences, including Tamara, NCL’s first specialty Indian restaurant; The Panorama Room, an immersive complimentary dining venue; and NCL’s most comprehensive wellness offering to date, anchored by the cruise industry’s most expansive Thermal Suite and the first-at-sea Sensory Rain Pool at Mandara Spa.

After the two new inaugural Mediterranean sailings, Norwegian Aura will sail an additional seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, on May 21, 2027, with calls to Valletta, Malta; Salerno, Italy; and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. The ship will then sail a 13-day transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Miami before beginning seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami from June through October 2027, with calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island destination in the Bahamas and home of the all-new Great Tides Waterpark. In winter 2027/28, Norwegian Aura will offer seven-day Western Caribbean voyages to Roatan (Islas de la Bahia), Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, NCL’s resort-style destination in Belize.

Guests booking the newly added sailings can take advantage of NCL’s promotion running from 13 to 26 October 2026 offering up to 50% off all cruises as well as the guest-favourite Free at Sea™ package, which includes premium beverages, speciality dining meals, excursion discounts and Wi-Fi – adding over US$2000 in value to the cruise.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call +27 087 550 3914 or visit www.ncl.com.

That familiarity, however, has been complicated by a regulatory shake-up that caught many businesses off guard. Under South Africa’s National Land Transport Act, which came into effect in September 2025, e-hailing platforms were required to register with the National Public Transport Regulator within 180 days. While some platforms met that deadline, others did not, and in the North West, police have already begun impounding vehicles belonging to unregistered operators.

South Africa’s evolving e-hailing regulatory landscape has raised a question that most businesses haven’t had to ask before: do we actually know what’s happening once an employee gets into that car?

The honest answer, for many SMEs, is no.

“That gap has nothing to do with e-hailing being the wrong choice and everything to do with the fact that the governance hasn’t kept pace with the convenience,” says Herman Heunes, General Manager at Corporate Traveller South Africa.

The good news? Closing the gap is simpler than most businesses think.

The managed travel illusion

E-hailing arrived in South Africa’s corporate travel landscape and immediately made itself indispensable with real-time tracking, digital receipts, cashless payments, and a rating system that creates at least some accountability between driver and passenger. As part of a broader managed travel programme – sitting alongside chauffeur transfers, hotel bookings, and flight management – it’s a powerful tool. Used in isolation, without policy or oversight, it looks and largely feels like a managed solution.

The problem is that looking like managed travel and being managed travel are two different things.

South Africa’s new e-hailing regulations have made a previously invisible assumption very visible, very quickly.

“Visibility is the biggest challenge we see with SMEs and e-hailing,” says Carmen Hidalgo, Customer Success Team Leader at Corporate Traveller South Africa. “If companies don’t know how employees are moving around, they can’t effectively support them when things go wrong. That’s a policy problem. The tools to create that visibility already exist. Most businesses just haven’t connected them to a formal framework yet.”

The myth around SMEs and duty of care

There’s a persistent assumption in the SME market that duty of care is something multinationals worry about. For smaller businesses, the thinking often goes, the informal approach has worked fine so far.

But, ultimately, rather than the size of your travel programme, duty of care is about the fact that when an employee travels for work, whether they’re flying to Johannesburg or getting into an e-hailing vehicle to reach a client meeting across town, their employer has a responsibility to take reasonable steps to keep them safe and to support them if something goes wrong.

“Liability may sit with multiple parties in a ground transport incident, but responsibility cannot be outsourced,” says Heunes. “What we want SMEs to understand is this: building a duty of care framework that properly supports your travellers doesn’t require complexity – it requires clarity. Clear guidelines, approved providers, and a defined process for escalation. That’s achievable for any business, regardless of size, and it changes the experience for your travellers and your risk profile significantly.”

The shift Heunes describes is already visible in how Corporate Traveller’s SME clients are approaching ground transport. “We’re seeing companies move from convenience-led bookings to visibility-led bookings,” he says. “The question used to be ‘how do we get a ride?’ Now it’s ‘how do we manage the journey?’”

That change reflects a growing understanding that e-hailing is no longer simply a transport choice.

“It’s a traveller experience, a business risk, and a duty of care decision, all at once,” Heunes adds.

So, what does that actually look like in practice?

What good looks like

Sensible e-hailing governance for an SME requires a few deliberate decisions, consistently applied.

Start with an approved provider list. Knowing which platforms are operating within the legal framework is a reasonable baseline. That list may evolve, and a good TMC will help you stay current, but having one at all puts you ahead of most SMEs.

Build basic safety guidelines into your travel culture. When using e-hailing, encourage employees to conduct the following safety checks:

• Verify the vehicle registration, make, and model against the app before getting in.
• Confirm the driver matches the photograph.
• Never accept a different vehicle on the driver’s say-so.
• Keep the trip inside the app – if a driver asks you to cancel and pay directly, decline.

Define what visibility means for your business. This doesn’t have to mean real-time GPS monitoring of every employee, but it might mean ensuring that travelling employees share their trip details with a colleague, or that bookings are made through a platform that generates reportable data. The goal is that if something goes wrong, you know where your people are and you have a process for responding.

Create a simple escalation path. Who does an employee call if their driver doesn’t match the app or if they feel unsafe? If the answer is “I suppose they’d call their manager,” that’s a starting point, but it should be written down, communicated, and tested.

Treat e-hailing as part of your travel policy, not an exception to it. “If employees are already using it, it belongs in the policy,” says Hidalgo. “Ignoring it doesn’t reduce the risk – it just means you’re managing it without a framework. The businesses that have taken the time to include ground transport in their travel governance tell us the same thing: it’s one of the easiest wins in the whole travel programme. A few clear decisions, and suddenly you have visibility and accountability where you previously had none.”

The regulatory framework will settle, and the industry will find its footing under the new rules.

But the underlying question – do we actually know what’s happening once an employee gets into that car? – remains.

E-hailing is the right choice for most SMEs. It’s cost-effective and accessible, and when it’s working well, it supports the kind of lean, efficient travel programme that smaller businesses need.

“We know SMEs aren’t interested in replacing it with something more expensive and more complicated. The goal is to make sure the governance is as good as the convenience,” comments Heunes.

That’s a realistic ambition, and for SMEs that haven’t started yet, the distance between where they are and where they need to be is shorter than they think.

“Good travel governance doesn’t need to be complicated,” says Hidalgo. “It just needs to exist.”

Airlink’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content is now live on Aeronology, the single-screen travel platform that lets advisors search, book and service flights from multiple airlines without switching portals. Branded Airlink Direct Connect, the integration gives travel advisors full booking and servicing control for the regional carrier’s flights in one place for the first time.

For travel advisors, this means a direct solution to the fragmentation in regional African travel, where processing a flight change or refund has often depended entirely on the original booking portal. As the airline sitting at the centre of this network, Airlink’s integration into Aeronology solves a critical bottleneck for the trade.

Joao Regal, Senior Distribution Manager at Airlink, says: “NDC lets us present our full fare and ancillary offering properly, but that content is only as valuable as the ease with which the trade can actually sell and service it. For a network like ours, where itineraries change and need servicing, that matters just as much as the initial booking.”

“Airlink is fundamental to how this region moves,” adds Rian Bornman, Managing Director Africa at Aeronology. “Having it live in the same environment as GDS and LCC content removes one of the biggest remaining sources of friction. Advisors get their time back, and they spend it on clients instead of fighting technology.”

With Airlink Direct Connect live, Aeronology advisors can now:

• Shop, compare, and book Airlink flights seamlessly alongside Global Distribution System (GDS) and Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) content.
• Maintain full post-booking control, including the ability to void, cancel, and manage schedule changes without switching portals.
• Sell and manage ancillary services directly within the same workflow.

Solving the trade’s biggest operational headache

The integration lands against a backdrop the trade has already named as its core operational problem. A recent survey by ASATA, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents and Advisors, found that 82% of South African travel advisors identify managing multiple platforms as one of their biggest daily challenges.

Pete Egglestone, CEO of Aeronology, notes that this milestone proves the platform’s servicing-first model. “We built this platform because the industry outsourced its engine room and then wondered why servicing became so painful. Airlink is exactly the kind of content that proves our model, a carrier African advisors sell every day, now fully serviceable from tip to tail on the same screen as everything else.” Airlink Direct Connect is available immediately to all Aeronology advisors, including those without prior GDS experience, featuring real-time commission visibility and 24-hour telephone support.

A growing number of applicants are receiving visas valid only for their exact travel dates, without any buffer for a delayed flight or flexibility if an itinerary changes.  

“We’re hearing this more and more from clients,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “The assumption has always been that a well-documented application would come back with a visa valid for at least a few weeks beyond your travel dates, but that’s no longer a given.” 

A combination of factors, including higher application volumes and a sharper emphasis on preventing overstays, has pushed consulates toward issuing visas that match travel dates exactly, rather than granting the longer multi-entry visas that many South Africans have come to expect. 

“Your visa validity is also directly tied to your travel insurance coverage dates. Consulates usually won’t issue a visa that extends beyond your coverage period,” Ferguson-Nair explains.  

This gradual tightening has become the new normal, and the travellers who are adjusting their approach accordingly are the ones arriving in Europe without unnecessary stress. 

First-time applicants and repeat travellers need different strategies 

Not all Schengen applicants are in the same position, and the approach that makes sense for a first-time applicant is different from the one that works for someone with a solid European travel history. 

If this is your first Schengen visa, according to Ferguson-Nair, the most useful advice is to apply expecting an exact-date visa, document everything thoroughly, travel compliantly, and treat this trip as the foundation of a travel history that will work in your favour for every application that follows. The consulate is assessing risk. Your job is to make the case that you are a low-risk applicant – i.e. someone with strong ties to South Africa and no incentive to overstay. 

“The documents that carry the most weight at this stage are a solid employment letter (on official letterhead, signed by HR, explicitly stating your job title, salary, approved leave dates, and that you are expected back at work on a specific date), six months of clean, stable bank statements, and proof of property ownership or other long-term commitments in South Africa. The consulate needs to see that this country has a claim on you,” advises Ferguson-Nair.  

If you’re a repeat traveller, the formal framework known as the Visa Cascade system comes into play. Operated by the European Commission, it’s a structured approach that rewards compliant travel history with progressively longer visa validity. If you’ve used three Schengen visas lawfully within the past two years, you may already qualify for a one-year multi-entry visa. 

Ferguson-Nair explains that it’s a good idea to reference the Cascade framework in your cover letter, list your previous visa numbers, and make your case clearly.  

The documents and details that make a real difference 

Aside from the basics, there are a few specific steps that can meaningfully strengthen any Schengen application right now. 

• Rethink your travel insurance. Your policy must be valid from your exact departure date to your return date. Corporate travellers on annual or multi-trip policies should also note that a separate policy document still needs to be issued per trip – the existence of an annual policy alone is not sufficient for a visa application. Whichever policy type you hold, make sure it explicitly states €30,000 minimum medical coverage, is valid across all 29 Schengen states, and includes repatriation cover. Without these three elements, your application won’t clear the document-check stage, regardless of how strong everything else in your file is. 

• Be meticulous about your bank statements. Six months of statements carry significantly more weight than the minimum three. More importantly, be aware that any unexplained large deposits in the lead-up to your application will raise flags (regardless of how legitimate they are) because they suggest a financial profile that has been artificially bolstered for the purpose of the application. A consistent, stable income over time is far more persuasive. 

• Submit your expired passports alongside new applications. Old passports provide official proof of your past travel history, including previous visas and entry-exit stamps, which helps visa officers see that you respect travel rules and return home on time.  

“The visa landscape is more complex than it was even two or three years ago,” says Ferguson-Nair. “Requirements and processing times change, and the documentation that was sufficient for one application isn’t always sufficient for the next. While a good travel advisor cannot guarantee a visa outcome, they can ensure that everything within your control is as strong as it can possibly be, and that you’re not caught out by a detail you didn’t know to look for.” 

For South Africans with Europe on the horizon, that kind of informed preparation isn’t a luxury. Right now, it’s the difference between a straightforward application and an avoidable setback. 

The acquisition increases the airline’s Jetstream 41 fleet from four to seven aircraft. For South African business and leisure travellers, the expanded fleet will support more dependable regional travel and smoother onward connections from Lusaka and Livingstone to key destinations across Zambia.

Proflight Zambia currently connects South Africa and Zambia through services between Johannesburg/Cape Town and Lusaka, and Cape Town and Livingstone. Once in Zambia, passengers can connect onwards to destinations including Mfuwe, home to South Luangwa National Park; Livingstone, gateway to Victoria Falls; Ndola in the Copperbelt; and other important commercial and leisure centres.

The additional aircraft will allow Proflight Zambia to increase frequency and capacity across its domestic network while supporting improved schedule reliability and passenger convenience. They also create the potential for new domestic and international routes next year.

Crucially, the larger fleet provides greater operational redundancy. This gives the airline more flexibility when aircraft undergo scheduled or unplanned maintenance, helping to protect flight schedules and reduce disruption for passengers travelling between South Africa and Zambia or connecting onwards within the country.

“Proflight Zambia welcomes the additional three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft, which have now been flown home to Lusaka by our very own crew,” said Captain Josias Walubita, Proflight Zambia’s Director Government and Industry Affairs.

“The purchase of these aircraft will enable the airline to meet growing local demand and support our commitment to providing safe and reliable connectivity across Zambia, even as the country targets 20 per cent growth in domestic tourism in 2026. We are extremely proud of our flight and maintenance crew, who successfully ferried the three aircraft from North Lincolnshire in the UK to Lusaka, Zambia.”

As the Jetstream 41 is already an established part of Proflight Zambia’s fleet, the airline has the operational, maintenance and crew capability to integrate the additional aircraft smoothly into its existing operations. Before departing the UK, all three aircraft received the necessary regulatory approvals and were successfully placed on the Zambian register and issued their 9J registrations.

The investment comes as Zambia continues to attract South African visitors travelling for business, holidays, safari experiences and visits to friends and relatives. By strengthening its domestic operation, Proflight Zambia is making it easier for travellers to connect from South Africa and explore more of Zambia through a single airline network.

“If a December trip is on the cards, now’s the time to start planning,” says Zay Ferguson-Nair, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. “The rules and regulations have shifted a little this year, so chat to your travel advisor well in advance about what’s required to ensure there’s nothing that takes you by surprise.”

Thailand: The easy yes

Thailand is a destination you can almost taste. Lemongrass and chilli lift off street woks as you board a longtail boat to explore limestone coves. The Andaman Sea stays warm enough to swim at dusk, and an ice-cold Chang is waiting on the sand. One day you’re snorkelling off the Phi Phi Islands; the next you’re on the hunt for mango sticky rice at a night market that runs well past midnight.

It’s also one of the easiest long-haul trips South Africans can book, with no visa needed for a standard holiday, says Ferguson-Nair. The one thing to note is the length of stay: the 60-day visa-free window introduced in 2024 will soon revert to 30 days, which is plenty for most trips, though a longer stint means arranging a tourist visa before you leave. There’s also an online form, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (a mandatory entry and health declaration), that needs to be completed within three days prior to your scheduled arrival date in Thailand. Keep your return flights, accommodation, and proof of funds nearby in case immigration asks.

Bali: Worth a little prep

Bali works on you the moment you land. Terraced rice paddies, laid-back beaches, world-class surfing, temples, incense, and frangipani. Not to mention a plate of Nasi Goreng (Indonesia’s iconic fried rice dish) as the sun goes down.

The one thing to clear up: while Indonesia is not visa-free for South African passport holders, you can apply and pay online for the electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA). Alternatively, you can still buy your visa at designated VoA counters in the arrival halls of Indonesian international airports or seaports (but you can’t use the fast e-Gates if you obtain your visa on arrival in person). It costs about IDR 500,000 (roughly R450 – R500, depending on the exchange rate) and covers 30 days.

Take note of two additional pieces of admin: Bali’s once-off tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately R150), paid online in advance, and the All Indonesia Arrival Card, a short form that gives you a QR code for the airport, completed no earlier than 72 hours before your scheduled arrival.

Japan: Worth the extra step

Japan changes with the seasons. Spring turns whole avenues soft pink with cherry blossom for a fortnight or so; winter promises skiing and snow festivals. Somewhere between those extremes are neon Tokyo nights and the calm of a Kyoto temple garden, a bullet train apart.

“Japan asks more of us than it does of most other visitors, but it rewards the effort,” says Ferguson-Nair. “We’ve always needed a visa, but, thankfully, South Africa qualifies for the Japan e-Visa, so it’s possible to apply online for a short-stay tourism visa of up to 90 days.”

One thing to budget for: from 1 July 2026, the single-entry visa fee rose from around ¥3,000 to about ¥15,000 (or just over R1,500 depending on the exchange rate), its first increase since 1978. Factor it in, apply a couple of weeks ahead for processing, and Japan is yours.

One more thing before you go…

There’s a new step on our side, too, and it applies wherever you’re headed. Since 1 July, everyone leaving or entering South Africa must complete the online SARS Traveller Declaration within 24 hours before departure. It’s a customs formality rather than a visa, it’s done on your phone, and it’s worth adding to the family checklist so nobody’s caught completing it in the queue.

Timing your December escape

As Ferguson-Nair explains, our long summer holidays land in the region’s peak weeks, so the earlier you book, the better the fares and the choice.

“December to February is Thailand’s dry, cool season and its finest stretch; for dependable beach days, the Andaman coast around Phuket and Krabi tends to beat Koh Samui, which can still see late rain. Bali stays warm through December, though it’s the wet season, with brief showers that clear quickly. Japan is a winter escape rather than a beach one, made for snow in the north, festive lights, and long soaks in a steaming onsen,” she says.

Keep a handle on the fine print

“The appeal of these destinations is stronger than ever, but the detail has changed ever so slightly,” says Ferguson-Nair. “Take note of visa windows, arrival cards, levies, and fees – or ask a travel advisor to take care of it on your behalf, so all you have to do is enjoy your holiday.”