Kuoni ramps up agent training in wake of surging Africa sales

Kuoni is ramping up training and support for travel agent partners after reporting a surge in bookings to Africa for 2027.

Bookings for 2027 for African destinations are up 42% year on year for the tour operator, with Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa showing the strongest growth.

Zanzibar is emerging as the most popular beach extension and Rwanda is enjoying a resurgence thanks to TV coverage linked to David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.

In light of rising demand and following their success last year, Kuoni has announced the return of its Passport to Africa in-person agent training sessions this month.

The sessions, run by trade engagement executive Matt Sole, aim to help agents build confidence and convert more sales.

They include in-depth insight into Kuoni’s small group safaris and tailor-made escapes and a focus on the operator’s standout properties.

Sarah Weetman, head of trade partnerships, said: “To support this growing demand, we’re investing heavily in our trade partners, from the return of our Passport to Africa training programme, with nine sessions taking place across the UK throughout June, to hands-on educational trips that bring these multi-destination Africa itineraries to life.

“Our recent fam trip to Kenya and the coast has already driven strong enquiries and bookings, showing just how valuable first-hand experience is in helping agents sell Africa with confidence.”

The operator said the 2027 bookings surge was due to increased demand for longer, multi-destination ‘grand tours’ of Africa to avoid travel uncertainty this year and lock in a bucket list trip for next year.

Popular trips include those that combine a safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya with a visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or gorilla trekking in Rwanda and a beach stay in Zanzibar.

The sharp rise in Rwanda’s popularity follows the release of the programme A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough in April this year as part of the presenter’s 100th birthday celebrations.

The operator said it was working closely with airlines to make multi-destination trips easier to package and sell. Airlines including Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir offer connections to combine itineraries such as gorilla trekking with Zanzibar or Mauritius.

Zanzibar’s popularity as a beach add-on has grown, with the newly opened Attitude Matamwe proving very popular, Kuoni added.