‘Travel/tour operators must develop holiday packages’

Travel Consultant Mrs Gifty Opoku Agyemang has called on travel and tour operators in the country to move away from just ticketing to developing special holiday and business packages for Ghanaians to travel.

“It is time for us to move away from the usual ticketing and develop packages that will allow our clients to go out there to have a real holiday either for relaxation or for business meetings,” she said.

Mrs Opoku Agyemang, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Grandeur Consult, made the call in an interview in Mauritius. She was expressing her observations about the island after touring various holiday destinations, including beaches and hotels.

South African Airways upon the request of some travel and tour operators organised a tour of the island to afford the players in the travel and tour industry the experience of Mauritius as the new destination for holidays and business leisure.

According to Mrs Opoku Agyemang, the era where travel and tour operators narrowly focused their operations on offers which did not bring much value to their clients must end.

“We need to start doing what will enable them to have worth for their money and also create the avenues for them to travel and relax on the beaches and rejuvenate inner spirit and their minds,” she said.

She also said “travelling to go shopping or perch with family is not holiday” and noted that “what is holiday is where people go to relax in a serene atmosphere.”

The Mauritius experience

She described Mauritius as a well-developed holiday and business leisure destination.

“The beaches on the island are among the best in the world; clean and calm and they are good for water sports at no risk,” she said. She also observed that “the siting of the hotels on the island is also unique because they all ensure that they are on the beach to enable their customers to enjoy nature at its best.”

Packages

She said Grandeur was closely working with Emotions, one of the biggest destination management companies on the island, and South African Airways to develop special holiday and business leisure packages for its clients and potential clients.

“We are taking advantage of the low hotel rates of less than $100 in the season between May and September when many schools are on vacation so that parents can take advantage to fly out to relax and enjoy,” she said.

According to her, the experience would be beneficial to those who capitalise on the affordable travel cost, among other things, when they travel.