A merger process between two industry associations, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) and the South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC), is currently under way, with implementation set to begin in 2018.

At a recent SAYTC conference in Port Elizabeth, it was announced that Satsa members voted to continue with the merger discussions and SAYTC members unanimously voted to approve the merger process. 

Satsa believes the merger will benefit both associations as SAYTC offers unique, grassroots-level tourism experiences and has done much work in transformation.

Satsa offers a strong voice for the industry and a streamlined administrative background for the SAYTC team.

The continuation of the negotiation process is still under way confirms Satsa, and members will be kept updated with any progress.

CEO of Satsa, David Frost says: “SAYTC focuses on an area that Satsa currently does not, which is good enough reason to explore a back-office merger and extend Satsa benefits to SAYTC members.”

SAYTC has a more informal approach, operating in a youth market, and Satsa has particular standards that they do not want diluted, as Satsa remains committed to ensuring credibility, says Frost. “Through the negotiation process, we have and will continue to manage these concerns and we are optimistic about the benefits that such a merger will bring both parties.”

The phased integration will take place between the two associations where Satsa will take over some of the back-office administration in 2018, and in 2019, SAYTC members may come in and subscribe to existing Satsa criteria.

As for the youth market, Frost says 46% of arrivals to SA are between the ages of 18 and 35, and the traditional market tends to focus on the more mature segment, therefore the merger provides the association an opportunity to diversify its product range.

“SAYTC members form part of a collective, and will continue to remain and have their own identity,” concludes Frost.

Gavin Eyre, SAYTC Chairman, spoke about the discussions surrounding the merger. “From a SAYTC perspective, the strong voice that Satsa has in the industry, combined with existing government relationships, will ensure that issues affecting youth travel be addressed at the highest levels.”

Eyre says SAYTC was set up to be a marketing organisation, however it has become increasingly administration orientated, therefore the merger would allow “SAYTC to get back to the core”,  allowing Satsa to take over the administrative reins.

The merger would benefit SAYTC in various ways, says Eyre, and would allow it to become the youth travel arm of Satsa.

Eyre says they are keen on the merger, and while there will be an increase in costs for members, the added benefits outweigh these and that SAYTC members are quite prepared to take this on.

“SAYTC does not want to lose our identity; we built the brand. We will make sure within Satsa we have our brand and identity,” he concludes.