Yesterday both the morning and the afternoon sessions of the Exclusive Getaways Travel Workshop in Cape Town rocked away. Held at Double Tree Hilton, this was one of several workshops on the agenda for 2015, where twenty fine lodges and travel products showcased their stunning offerings to over a hundred travel agents and tour operators. It was a busy, bustling and most rewarding day. In travel and tourism education is vital, and we hope that the product knowledge of professionals in our travel and tourism community will be well served by these workshops that we host in major South African centres. Equally, we hope that our exhibitors will benefit from educating select audiences of travel people about their offerings.
Patsy Hayter from Exclusive Getaways hosted her first travel workshop way back in 1999. It was a grand and marvelous affair in the chandeliered ballroom of the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town (on a very stormy winter’s night, as we recall!) Last year Patsy resumed her workshops, and has created some wonderful new hives of activity where travel and hospitality people learn more about luxury products, and enjoy the opportunity to connect with colleagues. We also had some fabulous prizes, and our lucky winners went home with bumper spoils, including top-notch stays compliments of some of South Africa’s best lodges and guest houses.
These are some of the comments we received yesterday:
What Our Exhibitors Said
“The calibre of people attending was fantastic. We saw a good mix of travel agents and tour operators, many of whom were senior travel people. On behalf of the exhibitors, thank you to Patsy for arranging these wonderful workshops.”
~ Rene Bongers, Owner and Managing Director, Eight Bells Mountain Inn
“It was really enjoyable. A nice mix of tour operators and agents. All participants were attentive and got involved in the products. Great day.”
~ Michelle Hollis, Sales Manager, Isibindi Africa Lodges
“These workshops are incredibly beneficial – makes so much more sense to see 100+ travel
professionals in one day than limit oneself to individual sales calls.”
~ Bryan West, Sales and Marketing Manager, Karongwe Portfolio
“I so love these workshops, they are going so well!”
~ Carla Antoniazzi, Sales & Marketing, Unlimited Destinations
“Definitely worth it! Everyone is friendly and we were pleased to see a lot of interest in out portfolio. It was also such an enjoyable event.”
~ Emily Stemmet, Marketing Manager, AmaKhala Game Reserve, Lion Roars Group
“Congratulations Patsy, the workshop was a great success. The list [of attendees] is most helpful.”
~ Annette Ashley, Owner of African Inspirational Marketing
What Our Attendees said
“Excellent workshop Patsy! Thanks so much for the good organization and interesting presentations. I learnt a lot! Much appreciated.”
~ Sue, Travel Wise
“Thank you so much for a fabulous workshop yesterday and for allowing me to attend even though I am not a direct seller.”
~ Robyn Harvey, Sundial Travel Marketing
“Enjoyed the workshop a lot! Many thanks.”
~ Leonora Behr, AAA Travel
“We enjoyed your workshop and we feel sure our business will benefit from all information received.”
~ Natasha Parker, UAR Tours
“Interesting, educational and inspiring.”
~ Gloria Springett, XL Turbo Travel
If you are interested in exhibiting or attending, please email Patsy Hayter.
A huge thank you to all who are such a vital part of making our workshops a success!
