News / Tour Operator

Goway brings Africa on the road

Blake Wolfe

09-19-2018 7:10 am

Blake Wolfe

Blake Wolfe is an award-winning journalist and editor, who joined PAX after nearly 10 years in Canada’s newspaper industry. In addition to PAX, his work has been featured in publications such as the Metroland Media group of newspapers and the Toronto Sun.

A focus on East Africa and the inclusion of different suppliers marked Goway’s 2018 Africa product showcase, which touched down in Toronto last night (Sept. 19).

More than 100 agents got the chance to chat with 25 of Goway’s Africa partners, including a range of tour operators, DMOs, hotels and airlines. According to Moira Smith, Goway’s general manager for Africa and the Middle East, this year has seen a big rebound for East Africa bookings, particularly Kenya.

“Southern Africa has long been the flavour of the month but East Africa is coming back,” Smith said. “Kenya is growing and it’s also wonderful to see how much Egypt, Morocco and Dubai have grown in the last six months.

Of Ethiopian Airlines: Birhan Abate, area manager Canada & R. David Timmins, senior sales representative

New exhibitors

While all of the exhibitors have been long-time Goway partners, this year marked some of the suppliers’ first appearance on the annual roadshow.

Among these was Ethiopian Airlines, which has been a partner of Goway for eight years.

According to Ethiopian Airlines’ R. David Timmins and Birhan Abate, senior sales representative and area manager Canada respectively, since launching Canadian operations from Toronto five years ago, demand has remained high; currently, flights from Canada are 80 per cent full.

Selling Africa

Smith told PAX that when it comes to clients with an interest in Africa travel, agents need to identify two key factors.

“Find out their interest and budget,” she said. “Africa is so diverse and it helps to match them up with the expertise of Goway to match the right client to the right product.”

For agents, Smith said that Goway is currently offering a number of special rates to east Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania, along with agent rates for South Africa. A promotion for Egypt is also currently in the works, she said.

Goway took on Air New Zealand at the company's annual cricket match

Goway takes on ANZ

Yesterday afternoon, Goway also held its annual cricket tournament at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club. The annual event saw Team Goway face off against their counterparts at Air New Zealand for an afternoon of friendly competition.