The year ending 2025 was both challenging and successful — and sometimes, in the middle of all the change sweeping through our industry, it can feel tricky to pause and truly celebrate the wins. But celebrate we must, because there were plenty!

We closed our financial year on a record-breaking note in both Top Line Sales and Gross Commissions:

• Turnover: 5.8% growth from R1,616,516 billion in 2024 to R1,710,515 billion in 2025.
  • This growth is not just a number — it directly fuels our ability to hit overrides (usually requiring a minimum 5% growth).
  • It also strengthens our hand when negotiating even better deals with airlines.
  • Achieving this level of growth on an already high base is no small feat! The only challenge is the noticeable shift of ITCs booking via airline websites instead of navigating the tricky NDC tools designed to combat fare differentiation.
  • The reality is: the only way we secure those deals is by bravely stepping into the “NDC fire pot” and working through the challenges together.
• Gross Commissions: 9.4% growth from R146,768 million in 2024 to R160,620 million in 2025.
  • This reflects the real strength of eTravel and our ITCs.
  • Our sharper focus on service fees is paying off, with commissions growing faster than sales — directly boosting ITC monthly income.
  • Here’s a golden tip: if you’re charging the same service fee on NDC fares as on GDS, it’s worth rethinking. NDC fares take more effort, but that effort can (and should!) translate into more income. We’re here to help guide you — because knowledge is power, and when clients understand the difference, they see the real value in your service.
    • GDS: Full-service offering
    • NDC: Cost savings, but with a more limited service due to airline restrictions
  • Clients only get confused when they’re left in the dark — but the moment you explain the difference, it all clicks 😊.
  • Thanks to this strategy, ITCs on average earned 9.8% more in 2025 compared to 2024!
  • And as Garth always says: the higher the fees ITCs charge, the more YOU earn (while eTravel earns less) — which means the uplift is truly in your favour.
  • Bottom line: ITCs enjoyed nearly 10% higher monthly fees/commissions, and eTravel retained 7.7% more.
    • Happy days all round! 🎉
• Yes, the last few months since May have felt a little rocky, with sales dipping in a more volatile market — but August is already showing positive momentum again.
• Looking ahead, we’ve budgeted a conservative growth of 2.31% for the new financial year, factoring in Trumpanomics and global uncertainty. But let’s be honest — we know that with our phenomenal ITCs, our trusted Preferred Partners and a resilient South African travel base, this is a target we can (and will) smash together.