Gunship
16th May 2003, 05:55
Seems like we (sorry I) am creating a tourism site here ... but 4HP it still is flying ... :} PS: The rand dropped to R8.09 today .. right now R8.02 - check out www.xe.com for a 30 seconds update on world currency's .... :ok:
Until recently, Cape Town would have been the most exotic holiday destination most South Africans could afford.
But the Iraq conflict, SARS and travel-shy Americans, combined with a strengthening rand, have changed that.
These days, South Africans could opt for Caracas instead of Cape Town because prices of holiday packages have fallen by between 20 and 30 percent.
'They could not afford the extras'
Renee Bongers, general manager of the Joburg agency Travel Vision, said: "The Americans are staying home these days, so there are certainly bargains to be had."
Holiday Tours managing director Wendie White said with the rand strengthening, overseas holidays were now in the realm of reality for many South Africans.
"It's going to cost people at least 20 percent less than last year."
She said in the past, travellers used to watch the rand fall and then cancel their plans.
"They could afford the R9 000 for the package but realised they could not afford the extras, like a beer or a Coke. Eighteen months ago, the rand was at R12 or R13 to the dollar."
'There are a lot of good deals around'
The rand is currently below R7,50 a dollar.
White said packages per person sharing were between R1 200 and R2 000 cheaper now.
"That could easily represent a person's spending money."
Thompsons Tours spokesperson Moira Smith agrees. "Travelling is definitely cheaper now," she said.
South America was currently popular because it was far from the problems in the Middle East.
An eight-day package to Mauritius would now cost about R7 400, with airfares. A year ago, the same package cost R9 440.
"Certain packages, like ski tours, are being offered at last year's prices. The US and UK markets are very depressed, so there are a lot of good deals around," Smith added.
Travel Vision sales and marketing manager Dave Bradshaw said: "For South Africans, everywhere looks better than this time last year." - Sapa
Until recently, Cape Town would have been the most exotic holiday destination most South Africans could afford.
But the Iraq conflict, SARS and travel-shy Americans, combined with a strengthening rand, have changed that.
These days, South Africans could opt for Caracas instead of Cape Town because prices of holiday packages have fallen by between 20 and 30 percent.
'They could not afford the extras'
Renee Bongers, general manager of the Joburg agency Travel Vision, said: "The Americans are staying home these days, so there are certainly bargains to be had."
Holiday Tours managing director Wendie White said with the rand strengthening, overseas holidays were now in the realm of reality for many South Africans.
"It's going to cost people at least 20 percent less than last year."
She said in the past, travellers used to watch the rand fall and then cancel their plans.
"They could afford the R9 000 for the package but realised they could not afford the extras, like a beer or a Coke. Eighteen months ago, the rand was at R12 or R13 to the dollar."
'There are a lot of good deals around'
The rand is currently below R7,50 a dollar.
White said packages per person sharing were between R1 200 and R2 000 cheaper now.
"That could easily represent a person's spending money."
Thompsons Tours spokesperson Moira Smith agrees. "Travelling is definitely cheaper now," she said.
South America was currently popular because it was far from the problems in the Middle East.
An eight-day package to Mauritius would now cost about R7 400, with airfares. A year ago, the same package cost R9 440.
"Certain packages, like ski tours, are being offered at last year's prices. The US and UK markets are very depressed, so there are a lot of good deals around," Smith added.
Travel Vision sales and marketing manager Dave Bradshaw said: "For South Africans, everywhere looks better than this time last year." - Sapa