Investec Investec Focus Radio SA

Everything Counts | Episode 51: Managing global travel disruption

Loading player...
In this episode of Everything Counts, we unpack the real-world impact of geopolitical tension on global travel, from grounded flights and closed airspace to the human stories behind stranded passengers. What happens behind the scenes when airlines, advisors, and entire systems are forced to respond in real time?
Host Motheo Khoaripe is joined by Paolo Giuricich, Head of Investec Travel, and Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA, to explore how the travel industry navigates air travel disruptions, and what it means for you as a traveller.
From operational chaos to extraordinary collaboration, and a powerful story of one family’s journey home, this conversation reveals a simple truth: travel works best when everything goes right, but its true value shows when everything goes wrong.
Topics covered:
● How global conflict disrupts air travel systems
● What happens when major travel hubs shut down
● The role of travel advisors during crises
● Why travel insurance matters more than you think
● A real-life story of resilience, uncertainty, and getting home

00:00 Introduction
01:10 How global conflict affects air travel
02:05 What did airspace closures in the Middle East mean for travellers?
06:03: Managing safety and expectations during airspace closures
07:15 How Investec helped customers stranded due to airspace closures
09:16 Behind-the-scenes crisis management during global travel disruption
10:50 The role of relationships within the travel industry
12:55 How travel insurance works during global travel disruption
16:37 A family stranded in Doha: How Investec helped
24:37 Benefits of using a travel advisor
26:37 Key takeaways from airline disruption management
28:17 Conclusion
14 Jul English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

Macro Monday ep 132: Central banks on a hiking path

The Fed hiked rates last week amid resilient economic growth and higher inflation, much of it due to higher fuel prices at the pump, while the Bank of Japan also increased borrowing costs, with more likely to come. South Africa’s Reserve Bank is likely to follow suit this week, as…
21 Sep 6 min

Macro Monday Ep131: Fed meets as oil prices rise

Gains by Houthi rebels in recent days have placed further upward pressure on oil prices, with benchmark rates up about 3% on Monday morning, while bond yields have risen since the start of the war. Against this backdrop, the Fed meets this week to decide on interest rates, and, according…
14 Sep 8 min

No Ordinary Wednesday | The signals from oil, bonds and inflation

Oil, bond yields and inflation are sending a more cautious signal on the global outlook. Growth has held up better than expected. But energy markets remain tight, long-term borrowing costs are rising, and central banks are weighing the risk of another inflation shock. In the latest No Ordinary Wednesday, Ellie…
8 Sep 17 min

Macro Monday Ep130: Crude prices, US jobs place focus on interest rates

Crude oil prices have risen over 20% in the last month, and this problem seems unlikely to be resolved quickly: prediction markets put only a 30% likelihood of normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz by December. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management says with services inflation…
7 Sep 8 min

Macro Monday Ep129: Warsh’s hawkish speech

New Fed chief Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish speech at the Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers on Friday, leading to a stronger US dollar and increased expectations of rate hikes this year and next year. Investec Investment Management’s Investment Strategist Osagyefo Mazwai examines what this means for the US…
31 Aug 9 min
All episodes