TORONTO — After a three-year hiatus, Goway’s Africa & Middle East event was back in a big way yesterday, showcasing vacation ideas, selling tips and more to travel advisors eager to help clients book the post-pandemic bucket trip of their dreams.

The industry gathering drew 150 agents, plus many of Goway’s partners. Goway invited more than two dozen suppliers representing destinations from South Africa to Saudi Arabia to the day-long event, held at the Hyatt Regency Toronto. The day before, the Goway team and suppliers faced off in friendly ping-pong matches at SPIN Toronto.

Moira Smith, Goway’s VP, Africa and Asia, connected with Travelweek to talk about what’s new in Goway’s Africa and the Middle East portfolio, including a brand-new destination for the company: Saudi Arabia.

A great turnout of Goway partners at SPIN Toronto

Travelweek: The Africa & Middle East showcase has been an annual event for Goway for many years now (minus the pandemic years, of course!). Why is it important for Goway to showcase Africa & the Middle East with an in-person agent / supplier get-together? 

Smith: “We think there is huge value in in-person events. This value comes from building relationships, making new connections, engaging with our partners and clients and networking.

“That being said, we believe virtual also has its merits and we had a very successful virtual event on Monday where we had over 900 North American agents in attendance.”

Goway’s Moira Smith, Ian Smyth and Renee Stanton

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Travelweek: How many suppliers took part in this year’s event, and from which countries?

Smith: “27 suppliers and countries were represented: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt, UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

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Travelweek: What feedback does Goway hear from participating supplier partners after these events – what do they say about Canadian travel advisors?

Smith: “I think the fact that so many of our suppliers are repeat attendees speaks for itself.  They get great value from all the aforementioned benefits.  They are very impressed with the responsiveness and engagement of Canadian travel advisors.”

Goway’s Sam Cottar and Brittany Banks

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Travelweek: What can you tell us about Goway’s Africa & Middle East program for 2024?

Smith: “So many exciting things. We have significantly expanded our Southern and East African product offerings. This includes offering a full safari circuit in Rwanda and Zambia, as well as adding in a Southern Tanzania circuit. To complement our very successful Odyssey small group series, currently operating in East Africa and Egypt, we’re adding Odysseys to South Africa, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.”

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Travelweek: On that note, we hear that Goway has officially launched a new destination. Tell us more!

Smith: “We are very excited to be launching Saudi Arabia. It’s a true Goway Globetrotting destination, as it’s rich in culture and heritage, and it’s where you’ll find arid deserts and lush valleys, clear seas and rugged mountains, ancient archaeological sites and modern architecture.”

Members of the Goway team at SPIN Toronto

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Travelweek: What message would Goway like to get out to its travel advisor partners as the industry looks ahead to 2024?  

Smith: “By all accounts, industry predictions indicate that 2024 will be a record-breaking year for travel. With this in mind, planning ahead and booking in advance will be crucial. With recent world events consumer confidence has been shaken, so travel advisor expertise, and an agent’s ability to help travellers to navigate travel complexities, is key. Goway’s GowayPro academy, featuring over 50 countries with in-depth destination training, can assist you.”