KATA Officials Set To Visit Nigeria On NewGen ISS Familiarisation Tour
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) will this week be sending its officials to the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) on a familiarisation tour of the operations of the Nigerian travel.
The officials Chief Executive Officer Mr Nicanor Sabula and Hon. Treasurer Dr Joseph Kithitu are expected to meet with the executive members of NANTA and also visit a few travel agents to understand the impact of their migration to the New IATA settlement System (NEWGEN). They are also expected to discuss future opportunities for collaboration between the two Associations.
Kenya will on October 16, 2019 migrate from Resolution 818g to the NewGen ISS Passenger Sales Agency Rules under Resolution 812. The NewGen Programme will create more flexible, secure and customer centric BSP for both travel agents and airlines.
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has been at the forefront in informing and educating its members on the new system.
WOMEN IN TRAVEL: Ruby Walji talks of a journey laced with fraudsters and conmen
Ruby Walji director of Ideal Travel Limited in Mombasa Kenya talks to KATA Weekly Travel News on her journey in the industry.
- How long have you been in this industry?
I have been in this business for exactly 8 years.
- When did you start this business?
I have always had an intense passion for travel. For about 20 years I handled my boss’s travel plans then one day my boss decided to open a travel agency at City Mall and I became the manager in 2011. In 2014, he decided to sell the business to me in 2014 where I have run it since. I am always thankful for the opportunity.
- What were the challenges then and what continues to be the challenge now?
There are a number of challenges in this industry but the one I have dealt with most is fraudsters and conmen. Luckily, we dust off the experience and carry on. Another thing is when business is slow and we have to make do with the situation.
- What has been the highlight in your journey in this industry?
I was once conned by one of my clients from Nairobi. It was a devastating loss but the highlight of it was being able to rise up and move on with business. We were able to recover from the huge loss.
- What has been your lowest moment?
When business is down is a low moment for me. It means we do not make revenue yet the expenses and bills have to be paid.
Cruise Travel Bug Bites Kenyans
Kenyans are increasingly seeking holiday destinations off the beaten paths and some are discovering these magical places by ship.
Peter Njeru and his wife Dr Dorcas Njagi are some of Kenyans who have fallen in love with cruise holidays. Every August for the last three years, they have been boarding a ship and cruising on it for weeks.
“We usually travel with four or five other couples,” says Peter.
Their friends had been doing the cruises way before the Njagis but after their first cruise on board the ‘Harmony of the Seas’, they too got hooked.
“It is an exciting adventure and you get to holiday in a relaxed manner. You don’t have to keep packing and unpacking as all your luggage is in your room yet you get to experience the joys of visiting different cities!” explains Dorcas.
“A cruise is very comfortable and you do not even feel the movement. There is lots of quality entertainment on board ranging from movie theatres, plays, gyms, different sports and all manner of entertainment. You sleep and wake up in a different city!” Peter adds.
The couple’s first cruise was to the Caribbean where they spent 14 days and nights. It was a massive cruise ship with a capacity of 6,000 guests and 2,500 crew members. Their next cruise was aboard the ‘Anthem of the Seas’, which took them to the US and Canada.
“We are looking forward to our next cruise on the ‘Celebrity’ this August when we will explore Europe,” says Dorcas