The Plett Tourism Association, in conjunction with Wesgro (the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the Western Cape) and SATSA (Southern African Tourism Services Association) and their Garden Route members, recently hosted a group of 35 tour operators, travel professionals and South African media representatives.
The SATSA Plett representative, Kaarin Hindmarch from Africanyon, put together a Plett itinerary for six luxury tour operators with assistance from other SATSA members and the Plett Tourism Association.
SATSA Garden Route members were invited to participate at a Round Robin session to introduce their tourism products and services to the tour operators and travel professionals in George at Fancourt on the first day. The larger group was then split up into smaller travel groups who were each sent to a different town along the Garden Route.
The 6 luxury tour operators that were sent to Plettenberg Bay stayed over four nights. Their primary markets include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and South America. An introduction dinner was hosted by Plett Tourism at Nguni Restaurant, selected for their beautifully preserved historical aesthetics and of course, delicious food. The menu was paired with local still wines from Bitou, Luka, Packwood, and That Wine Demesne.
It was a whirlwind tour of Plett; they made several sight inspections at luxury accommodation establishments including Barrington’s, Bayside Lodge, Fairview House, Mole’s Hole, Sky Villa, Tsala, the Old Rectory Hotel and The Plettenberg Hotel – and they were hosted for their accommodation at Mole’s Hole and the Old Rectory Hotel.
Their first full day in Plett included a short hike on Robberg Nature Reserve, coffee, and a sight inspection at Tsala and Zinzi, and a historical tour around Old Nick Village and the Mungo Mill. This was followed by lunch at Sky Villa and then a trip to Tenikwa Wildlife and Rehabilitation Centre. They finished with a craft beer tour, tasting and dinner at Barrington’s.
Their second full day included tea and cake at Fairview House, a visit to Monkeyland and Hog Hollow Horse Trails with more wine tasting from Lodestone – moving on to a wine tasting and lunch at Newstead. The group then made their way down to The Plettenberg Hotel for canapés and local bubbly sponsored by Bitou, Bramon, Kay & Monty, Newstead and Plettenvale before heading to their stunning dining room for a special dinner.
In between all of this, the group enjoyed Plett’s signature pink sunrises, sand between their toes and witnessed the daily visit of dolphins as they travelled along the beautiful Plett coastline.
The Youth Travel Group was also hosted with a short walk around Robberg Nature Reserve, and they experienced a light picnic breakfast and a brief presentation with Wandisile Sebezo from Plett Tourism.
ABOUT SATSA: Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, whose members stand for: Credibility Integrity and Stability SATSA is a member-driven, non-profit association representing the private sector. SATSA offers the inbound tourism industry unequalled opportunities for networking. To become a SATSA member, a business must prove annually that they adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and service.
For more info, visit https://www.satsa.com/.
ABOUT WESGRO: Wesgro is the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for the Western Cape. We are the first point of contact for foreign investors and local exporters. We attract and facilitate investment into the Western Cape, nationally and internationally. Growing exports of products and services of the Western Cape through the development of export capability, demand and market access. We market the Western Cape as a competitive business and travel.
For more info, visit https://wesgro.co.za/.
