August 2011

Those who have travelled in Africa will appreciate that each country is different and each has its own idiosyncrasies. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There’s the perception that at most airports on the continent there is a small group of people using the regulations as a means of generating income, and Kinshasa is no exception.

It’s occasionally a gamble, especially if you arrive at the Kinshasa departures lounge without a printed itinerary. It can be done, but it’s advisable to print out an itinerary before you leave the hotel, as people here respect official pieces of paper. The Grand Karavia and Hotel Grand Kinshasa both offer VIP arrival assistance, for $50.  These services save considerable time and also remove much of the risk.

When navigating the Kinshasa departures lounge, prepare yourself for at least five bag searches. A word of advice - don't get frustrated.

There is a departure tax of $50 that has to be paid. Another word of advice, don't try to avoid the payment booth outside the front of the departures lounge, as the receipt must be presented at the bottom of the aircraft steps. It’s not negotiable.

In terms of inoculations and vaccinations, don’t get caught without your Yellow Fever card. In fact, it’s a good idea to pick-up a spare, if the opportunity presents itself. At Kinshasa airport you will be asked for the card on arrival and departure.

Here’s a handy tip: the same Passenger Form needs to be completed upon arrival and at departure, so it’s a good idea to take a few forms with you when you arrive. This will reduce the time spent in the departures lounge.

The official language in the DRC is French, so it is suggested that you brush up on a few phrases before leaving for Kinshasa or Lubumbashi. With just a few words and a smile, you can probably navigate your way through most situations.

Just remember to be respectfully polite and appear confident when dealing with the authorities.

Ewan Cameron, CEO: Lonrho Hotels

Originally published in the Business Traveller, August 2011 edition

October 2011

In the last month I’ve travelled without companions on 14 flights and stayed in six different hotels, yet I’ve never felt alone. Undoubtedly, there are many people doing the same - travelling to do business in the continent’s high growth destinations.

Further to that, it’s not just when you’re on holiday that you meet interesting people and sometimes learn useful insights. In conversation this month I’ve learnt a little more about mining opportunities in Mozambique, a project to re-open a major African railway and the expectations that are being placed on the growth of Lusaka airport in Zambia. 

Snippets of conversation can enrich what so frequently can be trips peppered with boredom and frustration. Improved mobile connectivity is now enabling greater connectivity and a true sense of being part of a travelling community, and the speed, accessibility and ease of use seems to be making Twitter the preferred medium for ad hoc conversations. 

Via Twitter I’ve received advice from other travellers on what to expect at certain airports, notification of flight delays, and advice on where to purchase toiletries, in addition to commentary on who’s travelling to which destination. 

Yet some travel companies still plead ignorance when guests tweet their feedback. Appreciating how it feels as a customer when you provide feedback via Twitter and don’t receive an acknowledgement, I’ve arranged for all our hotels’ general managers to be coached a little in social media, so that they become more comfortable with Twitter, and thus ready to respond whenever today’s travellers choose to connect.

Social media really has changed the way we communicate and it’s no longer good enough to say that it is only relevant to the younger generations. As a result, we’ve embraced this new medium and launched a new mobi-friendly website - www.lonrhohotels.com – to cater to the African traveller on the move.

Ewan Cameron, CEO: Lonrho Hotels

Originally published in the Business Traveller, October 2011 edition

September 2011

There is undoubtedly excitement and naturally some apprehension, when one travels to a new destination. Given the infrastructural challenges, inconvenient flight schedules and the tapestry of visa and vaccination requirements out there, it is difficult to ensure you are adequately prepared for travelling in Africa – certainly, if it’s your first time.

I hear stories of seasoned travellers being delayed or even detained, due to not carrying a valid Yellow Fever certificate, or their passport has insufficient space, or the visa hasn’t been properly authorised. How does that happen?  Well, there’s no simple answer and, personally, what I do is that I attempt to minimise the risks and accelerate the time from touchdown to hotel bedroom. That works for me and if you adopt this simple approach, you’re going to give yourself a good chance of a drama-free trip.

Firstly, I’m a great believer that being polite and respectful gets you far. That being said, charm will only take you so far, because failing to carry the correct current documentation will only leave you exposed.

Relying on the travel agent isn’t always advisable, particularly as most agents have not visited Africa’s major airports, never mind the destinations themselves, and the agent’s advice can so easily give you false hope. For example, when I suddenly had to change my departure flight from Lagos and was advised I could pay for the ticket with a credit card at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Thank goodness I had friends who brought me the necessary Naira.

In the US, leisure travellers are expected to visit, on average, over 20 websites before booking a holiday. I doubt I visit that many before travelling to a new destination, but I will do a Google search on the politics and recent news, and visit www.visazone.co.za for clarification on the current visa requirements.

Further to that, a currency website such as www.xe.com, which allows you to specify the exchange rates you wish to keep, is just a click away, and even though www.flightstats.com fails to provide any information on African airport terminals, it’s helpful when you want to confirm the aircraft will arrive at the airport on schedule – allowing you to prepare for a delay.

When all is said and done, however, nothing is better than having a friend on the ground - someone who truly knows the requirements you’ll face upon arrival.

Ewan Cameron, CEO: Lonrho Hotels

Originally published in the Business Traveller, September 2011 edition

November 2011

Attempting to establish a new business in one of Africa’s high-growth destinations can often appear daunting. Even though, as a frequent business traveller, you ‘feel’ you know where the highest demand for your product or services resides. 

Whether it’s the chaos outside the terminal building, the nose-to-tail congestion, an abundance of young people with disposable income, a skyline punctuated with construction cranes, or simply the queue of business travellers ahead of you when you arrive at your hotel’s check-in - the signs of potential growth are unmistakable. 
Yet despite this, you need to weight the potential against your organisation’s ability to profit from this growth, which may, at first, appear too risky, or too difficult, and basically not worth the effort.  Then there is the cost of attempting to convince colleagues back in the office that it’s time for your business to expand into a new African market. My experience is that the rewards are worth the effort.

For example - The Democratic Republic of the Congo occupies a land mass larger than Western Europe. The cities of Lubumbashi and Kinshasa are enjoying considerable growth, with Kinshasa already predicted to overtake Lagos and Cairo as the continent’s most populated city. That being said, Kinshasa can be distinguished by how few international brands have businesses in the DRC capital. 

The DRC's economic growth this year may exceed the 6.5% previously forecast, due to strong global demand for its mineral exports, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yet how many companies do you know, outside the mining sector, are active in the DRC today?
My advice is, take a greater interest in the DRC’s forthcoming presidential elections. Assuming the elections are concluded relatively smoothly – as we witnessed in Nigeria – the country will return to business and we will all bank on five years of relative stability.
I strongly recommend you find an opportunity to stop off in Kinshasa. Visas can generally be obtained within a week, once you have a letter of invitation. Do ensure you have your Yellow Fever card, but brace yourself for a raw and functional arrivals hall. Kinshasa City has only two branded hotels - I always opt for the Grand Hotel Kinshasa (previously branded InterContinental), given its central location, shopping mall and extensive grounds.

Once on the ground, particularly if you don’t speak French, you’ll need someone who can assist you in overcoming the language barrier. French is the spoken language, all documentation is in French, and it’s necessary for you to identify a potential business partner or co-ordinator before arriving in Kinshasa. 
With perseverance and the right local contacts, this is an excellent time to invest in the DRC and specifically Kinshasa. There are few cities on the planet with the propensity for growth that Kinshasa exhibits today.  

Travel safely. I look forward to meeting you in the departure lounge sometime soon.

Ewan Cameron, CEO: Lonrho Hotels

Originally published in the Business Traveller, November 2011 edition