Association of Southern African Travel Agents

Happy Holidays from ASATA! As we close out 2024, we want to take a moment to thank YOU—our incredible travel agent community and partners. Your dedication, resilience, and passion continue to inspire us and drive the Southern African travel industry forward. This year, we’ve achieved so much together, from advocating for the industry’s needs to embracing innovation and fostering collaboration. And it’s just the beginning. 2025 is on the horizon, and we’re excited to continue building a stronger, more unified travel sector with you by our side. So, as you take time to celebrate and recharge with loved ones, know that your hard work has laid the foundation for even bigger successes to come. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, opportunity, and forward momentum—for you, your business, and the travellers you serve. Thank you for being part of the ASATA family. Here’s to a bright and prosperous New Year! Warm wishes, The ASATA Team #HappyHolidays #ASATACommunity #TravelProfessionals #HereToSupport #TravelStrongerTogether

What a year 2024 has been! Thank you to every member and partner for driving our industry forward. Here's a snapshot of what we’ve achieved together: 📌 Advocacy that matters: From Irish visa requirements to Reserve Bank regulations and NDC improvements, we’ve worked tirelessly to support and protect our members. 📌 Empowering growth: We delivered 9 expert webinars , shared essential resources like the Travel Agents’ CPA Toolkit , and offered AI adoption guidance to help future-proof your business. 📌 Strengthening Community: This year, we grew together—welcoming new members like Pentravel and Travelstart and collaborating regionally through AESATA . On social media, 152 posts reached over 45,000 impressions , growing our digital community. 📌 Driving Progress: From addressing the industry’s skills gap to combating travel scams and focusing on compliance initiatives, we remain committed to building a resilient, innovative travel sector. For a detailed look at our 2024 journey, check out the infographic in the post! Here’s to more collaboration, growth, and success in 2025! 🙌 𝗢𝘁𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗵𝘂 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 #2024Highlights #TravelIndustry #TravelAgents #ASATA #SouthernAfricaTravel

𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 - International Air Transport Association (IATA) Latest IATA data confirms what our industry knows: African travellers value travel agents more than any other region worldwide. The 2024 Global Passenger Survey reveals that while 71% of global travellers book online, African passengers consistently choose professional travel agents for their expertise. From complex itineraries to visa requirements, this trend reinforces the essential role of personalised, professional travel service in the African market. Your expertise matters. The numbers prove it. #ASATA #TravelTrade #AfricanTravel #IATAInsights

Exciting news! The ASATA Conference will be taking place at the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa in picturesque Hermanus from 20 to 22 August 2025. Set against the backdrop of the Western Cape's breathtaking coastline, this promises to be an unmissable gathering of travel professionals. Mark your diaries now – further details and registration information to follow. #TravelIndustry #Event #TravelEvent #Networking

At a secluded gathering on Sentosa Island, Singapore, the Global Travel Tech Think Tank, an invite-only collaboration between Web In Travel (WiT), Phocuswright and PhocusWire, brought together 50 executives from companies including Booking, Agoda, Klook, and Trip.com to hash out the future of travel tech. This year, the focus was on artificial intelligence (AI) and how generative AI, personalisation, and human-machine interfaces will shape the next generation of travel. Read the major insights and predictions from the event: https://lnkd.in/d4KMcr5p #AI #TravelIndustry #TravelTech #Insights 

Compliance remains the cornerstone of every travel business. Managing risk can seem daunting but with the right tools and guidance, we’ve supported our members every step of the way. The Travel Agent's Guide to the CPA is just one of the tools we've launched to empower travel agents and advisors with the necessary support frameworks they need to ensure compliance. ASATA members can access this guide on the Resource Centre at asata.co.za #Compliance #RiskManagement #TravelCompliance #ASATA #TravelIndustry

This time of the year always brings about the debate: Drive or fly? Consumers have been vocal on the topic of high price of domestic flights. Airlines say, while peak pricing is currently effective, the price of domestic flights has technically reduced. At the time of print on 26 November, a one-way flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town for the week of 23 December ranged between approximately R2 000 (€105) and R5 000 (€263) depending on the airline. Flights between Johannesburg and George started at around R2 800 (€147) and Johannesburg and Durban from around R1 900 (€100). Read the full article for insights.                                                               #ASATA #TravelIndustry #AirAccess #TravelInsights Bianca Capazorio Tourism Update

The travel industry is on the brink of significant transformation, with Generative AI set to become a top tech priority by 2025. According to Business Travel News Europe , the future of travel will see AI-powered tools optimising processes, personalising experiences, and enabling smarter, faster decision-making for corporate travel programmes. AI is no longer a "nice-to-have" – it’s crucial for any organisation looking to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving market. With its ability to enhance the traveller journey and drive operational efficiencies, travel managers and corporate teams will need to stay ahead of the curve. Are you prepared for the AI-driven future of travel? Stay informed and explore how AI can streamline your operations, enrich customer experiences, and add value to your business. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d_6mCYES #AI #GenerativeAI #BusinessTravel #TravelTech #FutureOfWork #Innovation #CorporateTravel

South Africa’s travel industry is making serious moves to increase the number of travellers coming to the country in the coming years. ASATA’s news this week highlights how:    • The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) outlined plans to target 15.7 million international tourists and 12 million domestic trips annually by 2030. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_4uJDUV • Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has announced key updates to the flight network at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) to recover and boost passenger traffic. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dS7kG6AU • South Africa has informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the country is interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6qV7RwK • Overtourism and market demand are creating opportunities for the travel industry to create itineraries to new destinations worldwide. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQDWqP2S #TravelNews #AviationUpdates #TourismTrends #TravelIndustry

For over 65 years, ASATA has been dedicated to representing and supporting the travel industry in Southern Africa. Founded in 1956, ASATA has evolved alongside the industry, advocating for high standards of professionalism and ethical practices. Today, ASATA continues to play a vital role in driving innovation and growth for travel professionals and businesses across the region. Learn more about ASATA’s journey and legacy here: https://lnkd.in/dviDR-2v #ASATA #TravelHistory #TravelIndustry #TravelAgents