In 1951, Harvey World Travel (HWT) was founded in Australia. As the company grew internationally, its South African operation played a major role in its global reach. While over time, the iconic blue and yellow logo was acquired by other companies in South Africa, the name has stood the test of time.
Over its 25+ years, HWT has evolved into a vibrant, dynamic force in travel focussed on supporting small businesses under a franchise model in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is especially relevant as SMEs make up over 90% of registered firms in South Africa. Given that small businesses traditionally battle with limited access to funding and have to juggle the day-to-day responsibilities while trying to compete with established corporate brands for their slice of the pie, strategic partnerships are crucial to their success.
How Harvey World Travel Helps Entrepreneurs
HWT provides travel entrepreneurs with unique solutions to alleviate the challenges faced by SMEs – whether they are wholesale, leisure, corporate, groups or incentives travel specialists.
“The benefit of partnering with Harvey World Travel is that we provide small business owners with established brand recognition that provides credibility and financial stability to their business, making it easier to attract and retain customers”.
– Kele Lekalake, Executive Manager of Harvey World Travel Southern Africa.
Other support includes:
1. Access to travel expertise
Entrepreneurs often find it challenging to balance their daily duties and keep up with market trends. HWT keeps franchisees up-to-date through special breakaway trips and bi-annual conferences that shine a light on the latest developments and provide a platform where they can meet face-to-face and share experiences. Every other year, a hybrid business event is hosted to discuss topical issues, such as the current new distribution capability (NDC) and the progress airlines have made in adopting NDC.
2. Lower operational costs
To reduce operating costs, HWT helps SMEs by offering access to ASATA membership, technologies like booking platforms, and 24-hour traveller support that independent entrepreneurs would not otherwise have access to or pay high fees to access. They are also shielded from financial loss through access to personal indemnity and cyber security insurance at reduced rates.
As part of the franchise network, SMEs can also benefit from HWT’s pre-negotiated supplier rates, bulk purchasing power, and established supplier relationships, enhancing profitability.
3. More market reach
Building a brand from scratch is time-consuming, so marketing is often put at the end of the to-do list. But, it’s imperative to build a strong brand and develop a solid social media presence to attract new clients in the cut-throat travel industry. To improve market reach franchisees, HWT provides customised marketing tools, campaigns and products to help attract customers and increase sales.
4. More competitive solutions
A top challenge for SMEs is competing with larger companies. HWT helps business owners overcome this hurdle by offering flexible franchise models – from supporting a single independent travel consultant to growing an established small agency. HWT offers access to an existing network of industry professionals, suppliers and partners, which expands business opportunities for franchisees. The team also provides mentorship and tailored training to reduce their learning curve and avoid costly mistakes. This reduces the financial burden of building a business from the ground up.
5. Access to Technology
Many small businesses have limited access to technology, especially when it comes to booking systems and an increasingly digital world.
Harvey World Travel supports franchisees with access to its established IT infrastructure – something that is usually only accessible to large companies. This includes ticketing platforms, online booking tools, and cloud-based solutions that improve customer satisfaction. This lessens the strain of investing in technology and gives business owners a robust platform to support their daily operations.
As an active member of The National Small Business Chamber (NSBC), Harvey World Travel SA has been a pivotal partner for South African travel entrepreneurs. Its expertise and resources help to cut costs and enhance business growth, empowering SMEs to succeed in the competitive South African landscape. To become the next Harvey and benefit from our great support initiatives, visit https://harveyworld.co.za/become-the-next-harvey/.