Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) — South African Airways launched its first branch outside the borders of South Africa with the official opening in Lesotho Wednesday of the SAA City Center Maseru Travel.

The chief executive of SAA City Center, Michael Stoeltzing, said it is significant development in terms of the travel management franchise's strategic plan to establish an extensive travel distribution network within Africa.

"SAA City Center is investing its resources and the expertise of its global network into the development of Africa's growing retail travel market," he added. Together with our members, we are utilising opportunities to provide mutual benefits to the travelling community and our alliance partners alike."

SAA has concluded licensing agreements to expand into Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya, as well as other major markets in Africa such as Cote d'Ivoire and the Indian Ocean islands.

Mampe Khaebana, the manager of SAA City Center Maseru Travel, said the main objectives of the agency are to serve corporate clients with travel arrangements to European, American and Asian destinations and to promote leisure travel.