Africa is booming, the Middle East not so much, travel advisors learned at Goway Travel’s annual showcase for the destinations in Toronto this week. It was the 12th time the Toronto-based tour company hosted the multi-day event for agents and suppliers, but first since before the pandemic.
On Wednesday, 150 agents were on hand for a full day of training and trade show at the Hyatt Regency on King, featuring 27 suppliers from across the destinations. The day before about 1,000 agents signed up for a virtual event.
Goway VP of Africa & Asia Moira Smith gushed about the attendance and enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve held this event 12 times now and every time it gets bigger and better.”
Smith acknowledged that the Middle East portion of the show was limited due to the war in Israel (Goway has pulled its tours until further notice and is offering “no questions” refunds or deferrals). Similarly, neighbouring Jordan and Egypt are seeing a “knock-on effect” from the conflict, but still available, though Smith says Goway is constantly monitoring events and “We would never put our passengers in danger.”
However, the event also served as a launch of Saudi Arabia by Goway, and in attendance was a representative for the Saudi Arabia tourism board from Riyadh, who told Travel Industry Today that it is in the process of establishing representation in Canada.
Smith called Saudi Arabia “a good Goway destination” – an emerging and modernizing travel country that will appeal to explorers and “early adopters, with a rich culture and “amazing, friendly people,” not to mention its enormous investment in infrastructure and cultural and sporting events.
She acknowledged the elephant in the room – Saudi’s human rights record and status as an international pariah to some – but stated, “At Goway, we believe that travel is a wonderful way of promoting tolerance. I do not believe we should be in the business of politics, but in understanding between nations.”
As for Africa, which represented the lion’s share of suppliers (no pun), Smith says business is booming, particularly in east and southern Africa. And it’s a trend that’s she expects will continue into 2024, prompting her advice for agents and clients to book early.
A lesser-known African destination gaining profile, she adds, is Ghana, which is a another culturally rich nation, particularly for music and fashion, and is drawing interest among African-Americans as a former epicentre of the slave trade.
Notably among the day’s events were prize giveaways including air tickets, safaris, city stays, and even a Nile cruise.