Reiseservice Sacco, a travel agency headquartered in Rosenheim, Bavaria Germany, has for over three decades led and dominated the market of ethnic travels to West Africa through the sale of cheapest tickets and personal support to clients.
The company, which began as a dream of a fledgling in a 30-squaremeter studio, with only one employee, has weathered the storms from the analogue days to the digital revolution, to firmly establish itself, with 15 employees now, as one of the biggest and most trusted specialists in travels to West Africa – with a focus on “connecting people and cultures through visits to friends and relations.”
According to the founder and director of Reiseservice Sacco, Mr Sandro Sacco, “We place personal service and relationships at the heart of everything we do,” which he said is the recipe of the company’s success and steady growth. He added that “trust cannot be replaced by app,” despite the arrival of the digital age.
Reiseservice Sacco has been among the most successful ticket sellers for West Africa every year, consistently since 2002, named one of the Top 50 travel agencies in Germany and has been recognised as best sales partner by various international airlines. And as it marks its 31st anniversary, CPCNEWS sat down with Mr. Sacco and he proudly took a dive into how it all began, the journey so far, visa-a-vis the tremendous success and the challenging times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. And why his company is, presently, among the most trusted partner for ethnic travels to West Africa.
Below are the excerpts of the interview:
Reiseservice Sacco is celebrating its 31st anniversary. How did it all begin?
It all began with a simple idea: to give people unforgettable travel experiences. 31 years ago, I founded Reiseservice Sacco with great passion, courage and the deep conviction that personal advice and genuine service make all the difference. Back then, things were very different — trips were booked from catalogues and the internet played barely any role.
The turning point came at an Africa festival in Munich in 1997. I had a flyer with flight offers to West Africa with me, and from that moment on, the community had an easily reachable contact who truly understood their travel needs. That was the birth of our West Africa flight business — back then still with so-called Ethnic Fares.
Over the years, the number of flights we arranged grew steadily, but one thing has always remained the same: the personal contact and the trust of our customers. Many have been with us for decades, some already into the second or even third generation. This makes me particularly proud and confirms that our path was the right one.
31 years later, I look back with great gratitude — on a dedicated team, on our loyal African customers and on the many people who have walked this journey with us. Without them, this anniversary would simply not have been possible.
What were the biggest milestones over these 31 years?
When I look back on the past 31 years, there have been many milestones that have shaped our company. The first and most important was the founding in 1995. I was only 23 years old and started with one employee in just 30 square metres. That this would one day become an established company was something I could only hope for.
A decisive step came in 1996 with the receipt of our IATA licence — allowing us to issue flight tickets worldwide and significantly expand our offers. Shortly afterwards, we began to specialise in flights to West Africa, a decision that has had a lasting impact on everything that followed.
A particular highlight came in 2008, when we were exclusively entrusted with arranging all travel for the Nigerian national football team (the Super Eagles) to matches worldwide and to AFCON Cup in Ghana for 13 months. As a football fan, that was a tremendous honour.
With growth came larger premises and a steadily growing team — from a small office to a company with 15 employees and a modern loft workspace. We have been recognised as best sales partner by various international airlines and have been among the most successful ticket sellers for West Africa every year since 2002. Being named one of the Top 50 travel agencies in Germany was a further recognition we are proud of.
Of course, not everything has been smooth sailing. The COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment for the entire industry. We had to give up our tourism business — not an easy decision, but a necessary one. It showed us the importance of focusing on our core strengths.
Today, our focus is on ‘Visit Friends and Relatives’ — connecting people, families and cultures. That is what has always been behind our motto: Bringing People Together. Looking ahead after 31 years with a strong team and a clear direction is, perhaps, the greatest milestone of all.
How has the travel industry changed over this time, particularly for travel to Africa?
The travel industry has changed fundamentally over the past 31 years. When I started in 1995, trips were mostly booked from catalogues, tickets were issued by hand and personal advice was the decisive factor. Today, much is digital and booking options are almost unlimited.
For Africa travel specifically, the offers have grown considerably. In the early days, many destinations were reachable only with limited connections and information was harder to come by. Today, there are more flights, modern booking systems and significantly better connectivity across the continent. At the same time, customer expectations have risen — flexibility, transparent pricing and fast solutions are now the standard.
We have seen particularly strong growth in the ‘Visit Friends and Relatives’ segment. Many people of African heritage living in Europe travel regularly to see family and friends back home. This segment has grown continuously and now forms a central part of the Africa travel market. And it is not just about the cheapest ticket, but about understanding, the right connections and genuine personal support.
What makes Reiseservice Sacco stronger today than ever before?
Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown how important experience, flexibility and reliable contacts are — especially when travel regulations or flight schedules change at short notice.
Despite all the technological developments, I remain convinced of one thing: when it comes to travel to Africa, customers value personal contact and competent advice above all else. Trust cannot be replaced by any app. That is why we continue to place personal, individual service and long-term relationships at the heart of everything we do. That was our recipe for success 31 years ago — and it remains so today.
Current Flight Price Situation
Many customers notice rising and fluctuating flight prices — what is your view on the current situation?
Many customers wonder why flight prices fluctuate so much or have risen overall. The honest answer is: there is not one single cause, but many factors working together.
Airlines work with dynamic pricing systems; prices are constantly adjusted to supply and demand. If a flight is in high demand or only a few seats are left, the price rises. When more capacity is available or demand is lower, prices can fall again. Added to this are increased costs for airlines: fuel, staff, maintenance, airport fees and environmental regulations all feed into ticket prices.
For flights to West Africa specifically, there is less competition on many routes than on classic holiday destinations. When supply is limited and demand is high, during school holidays or festive seasons when people want to visit family, prices rise accordingly.
My advice: those who are flexible and book early generally have the best chance of attractive prices. Having a specialist at your side who knows the market and can recommend alternative connections or dates makes a noticeable difference, especially for travel to Africa.
Do you have tips for customers on when and how to book?
Our many years of experience show that, in the vast majority of cases, booking as early as possible is the best strategy because seats in the lower price brackets are limited. Airlines have largely stopped offering last-minute deals, and fares increase as the departure date approaches.
Early booking is especially important during periods of high demand: school holidays, festivals and public holidays. Travellers without school-age children are best advised to avoid these periods altogether. Bookings can be made up to 11 months in advance.
We are available by telephone Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm. It helps to have a calendar and your passports handy when you call.
Are there any particularly attractive routes or offers you would recommend right now?
For our customers from the Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen area, who would like to fly with Brussels Airlines: from autumn onwards, the direct ICE train from Cologne or Aachen to Brussels Airport and back can be integrated directly into your flight ticket. Its a very convenient option worth considering.
Flight Schedule Changes & Travel Planning
Flight times seem to change more frequently than before, why is that, and how do you support customers when it happens?
Airlines today adjust their schedules much more flexibly than they did a few years ago. There are several reasons:
→ High aircraft utilisation: airlines deploy their aircraft as efficiently as possible, and even small daily changes can affect later flights.
→ Staff shortages and operational challenges: bottlenecks at airlines, airports or air traffic control can lead to schedule adjustments.
→ Weather and airspace restrictions: storms or airspace closures may require changes to departure times.
→ Commercial reasons: airlines continuously optimise schedules to improve connections or respond to demand.
→ Advanced booking horizons: flights sold far in advance are more likely to see later adjustments.
A change in flight time does not, in most cases, mean anything is wrong with your booking. It is simply the nature of today’s dynamic flight planning. Final departure times are often only confirmed a few weeks before departure.
We notify you as soon as the airline informs us of any change, and we support you with any questions — or in finding the best solution within the options available. In cases of short-notice changes, we assist with rebooking, refunds and, where necessary, with compensation claims.
What should travellers keep in mind to avoid stress?
At the time of booking:
→ Check that all travel documents have sufficient validity and verify that names are correct.
→ Check visa requirements well in advance.
→ Book flights with sufficient connection times.
Before departure:
→ Stay informed about potential strikes, roadworks or travel disruptions through the news.
→ Where possible, check in online the day before (on the airline’s website) and download your boarding pass — in most cases, you can also select your seat free of charge at this stage.
→ Pack within your permitted baggage allowance and ensure only permitted items are in your hand luggage.
On the day of departure:
→ Allow plenty of time for baggage drop-off, passport control and security. We recommend arriving at the airport three hours before departure — for flights to Nigeria, four hours, as some airlines close check-in two hours before the flight.
Why Book with Reiseservice Sacco?
What are the main advantages of booking directly with Reiseservice Sacco?
→ Long-term bookings do not have to be paid for immediately.
→ At least two pieces of luggage are always included in the price.
→ Personal advice and a collaborative search for the option that best fits your needs.
→ An independent comparison of offers across all airlines.
→ Decades of experience means we truly understand the specific needs of our customers.
How do you differ from the major online booking platforms?
→ We are available by telephone Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm and there are no long waiting times, no call centres. In most cases, you will be speaking to someone within seconds.
→ Our team speaks several languages.
→ Genuine personal advice — not an algorithm.
→ Individual suggestions for optimising price, travel dates or routing.
What role does personal advice play in your service — in today’s digital age?
Personal advice is more important than ever, particularly for customers with limited online experience or those who are simply more comfortable speaking to a real person rather than navigating anonymous digital platforms. In us, they find a contact who listens, understands and can be trusted.
At the same time, those who prefer digital communication can follow us on Instagram @reiseservice.sacco or stay up to date via our WhatsApp channel.
Can you give a specific example of where you were particularly able to help a customer?
It is difficult to single out just one example, there have been so many over the years. We spent three years fighting on behalf of passengers of the Libyan airline Afriqiyah until they finally received their refunds after Gaddafi’s assets had been frozen for so long. We helped countless passengers stranded during COVID-19 to find a way home. And then there is the daily work — when an airline rebooks a passenger to a different day even though a better alternative exists, and we secure that better option for them.
Community & Trust
Your customers often come from the African community, how have you built this trust over 31 years?
The foundation of trust is first and foremost, what you bring with you yourself. In my case, that was an honest and respectful approach to every customer, and a genuine interest in their culture. From this grew a real understanding of the life situations and individual needs of the people I serve — conversations at eye level, not transactions. Those who know me know that I keep my word. If that were not the case, I would not be where I am today.
What values does Reiseservice Sacco stand for?
→ Respect
→ Honesty
→ Reliability
Why is it particularly important to have a reliable travel partner right now?
We all see, I believe, a world that is changing ever more rapidly. Political and economic changes have a direct impact on travel. In times like these, it is a real advantage to have someone who keeps an overview, understands the complexities and genuinely cares about finding individual, tailor-made solutions when problems arise.
Looking to the Future
What are your goals for the coming years?
Society everywhere is facing difficult challenges. To hold our own in this environment through competence, reliability and fair pricing, and to continue offering our customers the service they deserve — that is a goal we are deeply committed to.
What can customers expect from Reiseservice Sacco in the future?
Essentially the same as they have always received:
Honest, reliable, competent and personal service — at fair prices.
Anniversary Message & Call to Action
What personal message would you like to give your customers on this 31st anniversary?
Reiseservice Sacco would not have achieved what it has without the countless customers who recommended us to their friends and family over the years. I cannot thank them enough for that. Please, do not stop. Keep recommending us. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Are there any special anniversary offers or promotions to share?
In partnership with KLM & Air France, we are able to offer special exclusive benefits for customers who join the Flying Blue frequent flyer programme in connection with a flight booking. Speak to us directly to find out more.
