New Portal Sets Stage for Authentic African Experiences in 2026 Bookings
The African tourism landscape is set for transformation as AirlinePros International launches its Digital Destination Marketing Portal, FlyingCarpet.travel, during a four-day International Assembly in Cape Town. This innovative platform directly targets one of 2026’s most significant industry challenges: enabling professionals to access and book genuine, community-rooted experiences that today’s travellers are seeking in ever greater numbers.
Across the continent, there is a marked departure from traditional sightseeing tours. The modern visitor wants more than a postcard snapshot—they want to delve into local life. Requests for activities like cooking with village families, overnighting at community-run eco-lodges, or learning crafts from indigenous artisans have surged. Yet, until now, such experiences have been largely invisible to the mainstream distribution systems professionals rely on. As Achma Asokan Foster, Group CEO of AirlinePros International, explained, “Nobody knows about the Trappist Trail in KwaZulu-Natal, yet everyone talks about the Camino in Spain. Our clients want the real thing—genuine experiences that support local communities.”
The Aladdin’s World program, a highlight within the FlyingCarpet.travel portal, brings these hidden gems into the spotlight. Featured offerings now include spectacles such as Zambia’s bat migration at Kasanka National Park—where 10 million fruit bats flood the skies each year—and South Africa’s Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail, a spiritual walking route through historic mission sites in KwaZulu-Natal. These unique options rival iconic global routes and are poised to capture travellers in search of something deeper than the familiar tourist trail.
What sets FlyingCarpet.travel apart is its function as a bridge between National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), and the international tourism sector. Aladdin’s World transforms destination marketing from static information to real-time bookable experiences. It provides integrated booking and transactional capabilities, far beyond what conventional NTO websites offer. Unlike mass-market OTAs that drive price competition at the expense of authenticity, this platform focuses on quality and uniqueness, while also making it possible for smaller, less-known destinations to compete on a global stage without prohibitive costs.
The portal’s impact extends to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. With the soon-to-launch “Oasis” Local Supplier CMS & Booking Engine, community artisans, family-owned lodges, and local guides will have unprecedented access to tools that allow for real-time availability, multi-tier pricing, and direct communication with industry professionals. For the first time, a handwoven basket workshop or a Maasai-run eco-camp can offer instant booking confirmation and operate with the same professional standards as established international operators. Features such as automated promotions and resource allocation tools further level the playing field for Africa’s diverse local providers.
Central to the platform is the “Genie” AI-Powered Destination Trip Planner, which not only offers smart itinerary suggestions and real-time adjustments but also delivers marketing insights tailored to current trends. One-click booking for flights, hotels, and tours, coupled with interactive chatbot and voice command capabilities, enhances the efficiency and appeal for both professionals and their clients. This focus on technology is perfectly timed, as industry research identifies a strong rejection of generic, manufactured experiences in favour of authentic, meaningful travel for 2026 and beyond.
Operational across more than 60 countries through the existing AirlinePros network, FlyingCarpet.travel is supported by decades of airline industry experience. This ensures the reliability and reach needed to connect professionals with experiences that, until now, required complex local arrangements and time-consuming negotiations. The Cape Town launch drew nearly 70 global representatives and industry leaders, underlining the urgency of adapting to shifting demand—from sustainability and AI integration, to the reallocation of tourism revenue for local benefit.
As highlighted by the UN Tourism’s Elcia Grandcourt, authentic tourism does more than delight visitors—it sustains cultures, empowers youth, and protects biodiversity. The platform’s design ensures that booking revenues flow directly to local providers, bypassing international intermediaries and fostering real development on the ground. For the African tourism sector, FlyingCarpet.travel is not only a technological leap but also a strategic tool for capturing a new era of demand—where authenticity, community impact, and seamless digital access go hand in hand.
