14 Jul 2022
"In the morning hours, even before sunrise, you hear nothing - except maybe your own breath." This is how a travel expert describes one of her highlights on her trip to Namibia, which led to the Namib Desert.
The trip was part of the seven-day "Travel Vibes" by Eurowings Discover for employees of German tour operators to Southern Africa. From Frankfurt, the group travelled via Windhoek to Kruger National Park in South Africa. There the group split up: one part flew to Victoria Falls, the other flew back to Namibia.
The three-day programme in Namibia was tight and packed with experiences. On the first day after an overnight stay in Windhoek at The Weinberg: a flight by FlyNamibia took them to Solitaire in the Namib Desert, after which they had an afternoon sundowner drive through the Gondwana Namib Park.
On the second day, they had an excursion to Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei in the middle of the Namib dune sea. That afternoon was followed by a "Site Inspection" of the Namib Desert Lodge. There was Networking with travel industry representatives in the evening. Accommodation for both nights was The Desert Grace.
On the third day, strong winds meant that they could not go on a planned balloon flight. So, a sunrise drive into the desert and scenic flight over the dune world was had instead. They then returned to Windhoek. In Windhoek they paid a Visit to the Namibia Craft Centre - with craft stalls on two floors making it a top address for souvenirs. They attended a Work meeting and presentations by partners in the industry at The Weinberg, before returning to Frankfurt in the evening.
All of the 20 participants who responded to NamibiaFocus' quick poll were enthusiastic. Personal highlight of one travel expert: "The flight from Windhoek to Solitaire. Great view into the Namib, wonderfully flat wide landscapes in the glistening bright yellow light of the dry grass."
For another "Travel Vibes" participant, it was the Dead Vlei and the adjacent highest dune in the world: "The thoroughly strenuous hike up 'Big Daddy'." Almost all respondents mentioned the overwhelming starry sky.
But there was also positive feedback on the long-haul flight in "Premium Eco" class with Eurowings Discover: "Modern equipment. Plenty of legroom, priority boarding and very good food and wine selection included on the flight. A recommendation for all holidaymakers for whom flying with a little more comfort is important."
Why had they chosen Namibia over VicFalls? Answer: "Namibia offers a unique vastness and dreamlike landscapes, Namibia has a very special charm." And: "What attracted me to Namibia was the Namib Desert with its gigantic, red-orange dunes.
The taster trips offer employees of tour operators and travel agencies the opportunity to experience destinations and their offers in person. With their first-hand impressions and experiences, they can advise holidaymakers more proficiently.
The long-haul holiday airline Eurowings Discover, in turn, uses these short trips to promote its flight destinations. The Lufthansa subsidiary sees its Travel Vibes as the ideal format to intensify contact with tour operators and travel agencies. In addition, products and services can be optimally presented and feedback obtained.
The name Travel Vibes is new and according to industry magazine fwv, marks the start of an expanded B2B programme. Namibia was not only chosen as one of the first destinations for Travel Vibes. Three high representatives of the Lufthansa Group also came to the land of wide horizons: André Schulz, Managing Director of the Lufthansa Group for Southern and East Africa, Andrea Daskulidis, Senior Manager Network and Airport Relations of Eurowings Discover in Frankfurt, and Renette Scholtz, Key Account Manager Namibia.
Both were proof of the good marketing cooperation with the Frankfurt office of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), which was also represented by Matthias Lemcke, Acting Area Manager Europe & Manager Marketing and PR Europe. The Frankfurt - Windhoek route is considered one of Eurowings Discover's most successful connections.
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