Designed specifically for travel agents, this comprehensive resource provides exclusive access to expert information on the most sought-after destinations and experiences across Southern and East Africa, as well as the Indian Ocean islands.

“In our new travel brochure, we’ve showcased our wonderfully diverse continent’s most spectacular countries and regions, from South Africa’s Cape Winelands and sunny KwaZulu-Natal to Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana,” says Murray Gardiner, CEO of GILTEDGE Group. “We are confident that this beautifully-packaged information will play a leading role in attracting more international visitors to Africa.”

The GILTEDGE travel brochure features detailed information on travel experiences, preferred airlines, and explores GILTEDGE’s commitment to sustainable and purposeful travel. It also highlights each destination and the company’s esteemed accommodation partners.

“At GILTEDGE, we are dedicated to promoting responsible tourism and empowering our agents to help their clients make a positive difference within the communities they visit,” adds Gardiner. “All our carefully selected partners share our values, placing sustainability at the core of their operations.”

In addition to the new travel brochure, GILTEDGE has introduced an innovative map resource. This tool allows clients to visualize their prospective itineraries, acting as a valuable aid for travel agents. The map resource can be pre-ordered separately or together with the brochure.

To pre-order the GILTEDGE brochure with map insert, interested travel trade can complete this form – GILTEDGE Brochure Pre-order.

For media enquiries, please contact inga@bigambitions.co.za

Contact GILTEDGE
International tollfree telephone:
USA: 1 877 511 6860, UK: 0800 680 0423, AUS: 1 800 737 403
South Africa telephone: +27 21 713 0296 Email: info@gilt-edge.com

-Ends-

For more information about Giltedge, or to interview Sean and Murray, please email inga@bigambitions.co.za or info@gilt-edge.com

About Giltedge

Giltedge is an award-winning travel group based in South Africa with a mission to enrich lives through innovative and sustainable travel experiences, from tailor-made safaris to Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, to FITs and group travel, outbound corporate and leisure travel, incentive travel and golf travel. Launched in 2001, Giltedge is owned by directors Sean Kritzinger and Murray Gardiner, and Accor, the biggest hotel group in the world.

Why not take in the majesty of the bush from a new perspective, such as on a river cruise onboard a comfortable houseboat? You’ll drift along one of Africa’s best-known rivers, while admiring the wildlife on the riverbanks as the animals stop to savour a drink – right in front of you.

According to Kate Powell, General Manager Marketing, Sales and Reservations for the Zambezi Queen Collection, Africa’s leading river cruise company:

“The Zambezi Queen Collection offers two unique water safari experiences to travellers looking for a fresh take on an African safari. Both gliding along the Chobe River, our Zambezi Queen is a larger floating hotel, while our Chobe Princess houseboats are smaller, offering a more intimate and private experience.

Bucketlist Africa

Before the pandemic hit, many people may not have considered bucket-list adventures just a hop, skip and jump across the border. It wasn’t until their freedom to travel was snatched away that they realised that there’s no better time to travel than ‘right now!’ As such, experts predicted that travellers would start planning bigger, more luxurious immersive trips – to explore the magnificent beauty on our doorstep.  

Giltedge, South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator and South Africa’s Leading Destination Management Company, recommends bucket-list African holidays, such as exploring Namibia’s Skeleton Coast by private flying safari and the Okavango Delta. Other must-sees are the classic Southern Africa highlights and combos such as Victoria Falls and the Chobe River, a Winelands and Sabi Sands safari, Kruger and Botswana, a bush and beach break in Mozambique and trendy Zambia – fast becoming a favourite, ‘undiscovered’ safari destination (think incredible walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park and North Luangwa National Park).

All-inclusive holidays and cruises

With the ROE doing South Africans no favours, inflation and oil prices, savvy travellers are doing the maths and realising that all-inclusive holidays can offer more value than going DIY or self catering.

“All-inclusive holiday packages, whether on land or cruising, provide holidaymakers with great value for money and remove the stress associated with concerns about how much a getaway is going to end up costing them in the long run,” says Sue Garrett, General Manager Supply, Pricing and Marketing at the Flight Centre Travel Group, recently voted Africa’s leading travel agency and South Africa’s leading travel agency in the World Travel Awards 2022.

“Of course, the added benefit to choosing an all-inclusive package is that it also saves time. There’s no need to spend hours comparing accommodation providers or planning meals. The package provider has done all of the research on your behalf,”adds Garrett.

Over the seas (or continent)

Those who want to travel overseas will find that there are plenty of destinations to add to their wish lists.  

According toGarrett, “Just a few international destinations on our radar are Mauritius, Dubai, Bali, Seychelles and Istanbul, all of which are family-friendly.”

Parenting young kids and not keen to attempt a long-haul flight just yet? Then a beach holiday in Mozambique could be on the cards.

“Most flights from South Africa to Mozambique are less than two and a half hours long, depending on which airport you’re flying from. Once there, the kids and adults alike will enjoy the blissful beaches, warm weather, water sports and marine life. Be sure to look out for accommodation providers offering child-friendly facilities or kids’ clubs for the chance to put your feet up while the children entertain themselves!” says Natalie Tenzer-Silva, Director of Dana Tours in Maputo, who scooped up the award for Mozambique’s leading tour operator for 2022.

Other notable destination suggestions include:

Indian Ocean Islands Leading Destination – Maldives
Africa’s Leading City Destination – Cape Town

Africa’s Leading Destination – Kenya

Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination – Mauritius
Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination – Seychelles
Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination – Durban

Whatever award winning holiday you’ve got on the cards, ensure you book early to avoid disappointment. With travel demand at an all time high, the trend of last minute bookings is fast disappearing.

In 2001 Elon Musk began his plans to colonize Mars, Charlize Theron starred in Sweet November, and another South African star, GILTEDGE, was born.

Cape Town, South Africa, 16 September 2022: GILTEDGE, an award-winning travel company specializing in safari holidays in Southern Africa, East Africa & the Indian Ocean islands, has launched a new, bespoke 21-day luxury itinerary to mark the company’s 21^st birthday.

The itinerary combines exploring Southern Africa’s Mother City of Cape Town, bushveld breaks, and the warm, aquamarine waters off Mozambique, ensuring it will be a trip to remember. This is an opportunity to experience all that the region has to offer!

GILTEDGE Group Chief Executive Officer Murray Gardiner comments:

“We’ve survived one of the hardest periods in travel history at GILTEDGE. The entire South African tourism industry was devastated throughout Covid-19. After two years of difficulty, it has taken a lot of energy, positivity, and grit for our partners and us to be where we are today. We feel we would really like to celebrate that!”

The 21-day Southern Africa Celebration itinerary kicks off in the Mother City, Cape Town, where guests will spend four days enjoying world-class wine, delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable hospitality at Ellerman House.

The next stop is a farm stay at the design destination Babylonstoren, inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, and where guests are encouraged to pick, taste, smell and touch while walking through the award-winning garden.

After Cape Town, travellers will visit bucket-list Botswana and the incredible Moremi Game Reserve. This protected reserve in the Okavango Delta is teeming with wildlife and offers breathtaking views of its waterways. Afterwards, a pamper session in the wilderness spa of Xigera Safari Lodge is on the agenda to relax and unwind.

The next stop on this African safari is the Chobe River where travellers will spend three nights on the romantic houseboat Zambezi Queen. Riverine game viewing and bird watching in this unique setting will surprise and delight. This is followed by a stay at Zimbabwe’s Matetsi Victoria Falls on a 15km private stretch of the mighty Zambezi River and only 40km from the wonderous Victoria Falls. This stop is for adventure lovers, with tiger fishing to canoeing amongst hippos offered.

After an incredible journey through some of Southern Africa’s most stunning landscapes, the GILTEDGE birthday itinerary takes travellers back to South Africa for three nights at the Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, where Big 5 encounters are almost guaranteed.

The incredible GILTEDGE itinerary concludes at the Kisawa Sanctuary on beautiful Benguerra Island in Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago. In a protected marine park, kayaking, SUP boarding, and dhow riding are daily activities offered in the pristine waters.

Now that GILTEDGE has come of age, what are the plans for the next 21 years? “We are more determined than ever to be the best global travel company. We’ve renewed our dedication to enriching our guests’ lives through innovative and sustainable travel experiences. Here’s to another 21 years,” says Executive Chairman Sean Kritzinger.

The full itinerary is available here: https://giltedge.travel/tour/21-day-african-adventure-with-giltedge/

Contact GILTEDGE

International tollfree telephone:

USA: 1 877 511 6860, UK: 0800 680 0423, AUS: 1 800 737 403

South Africa telephone: +27217130296

Email: info@gilt-edge.com

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For more information about Giltedge, or to interview Sean and Murray, please email claire@bigambitions.co.za or info@gilt-edge.com

About Giltedge

Giltedge is an award-winning travel group based in South Africa with a mission to enrich lives through innovative and sustainable travel experiences, from tailor-made safaris to Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, to FITs and group travel, outbound corporate and leisure travel, incentive travel and golf travel. Launched in 2001, Giltedge is owned by directors Sean Kritzinger and Murray Gardiner, and Accor, the biggest hotel group in the world.

THE SA TOURISM INDUSTRY GETS A COVID LIFELINE

CAPE TOWN, 23 JUNE 2022 – The announcement by the South African Department of Health that COVID restrictions would be dropped entirely – for both domestic and international travel – came as a lifeline for tourism in the country.

Of all the mainstream economic activities affected by the pandemic-related isolation, the tourism sector was by far the hardest hit.

Tourism in South Africa, pre-COVID, was worth more than R130 billion, made up 4,5% of the country’s employment, and contributed 3% directly to GDP.

“In July 2021, only 5,000 overseas tourists visited South Africa – a mere 2.6% of the number that arrived in the same month two years earlier,” said economic advisor Dr Roelof Botha. “The good news is that the recovery of the domestic tourism industry should make up lost ground once spring arrives.”

GILTEDGE Executive Chairman, Sean Kritzinger expressed his relief that the tourism industry could look forward to a rebound.

“Our travel industry has by no means normalised as yet,” he said. “We have been under close scrutiny for the last two years, we were on a UK Red List that restricted our travel over December last year – and December is one of our peak international seasons. These did enormous damage to the industry. I believe that the repeal of these regulations, as they have been gazetted, will be a huge boost for tourism to South Africa and the greater Southern African region – it is high time!”

“It is important that we get back to pre-COVID normality. Now that regulations and restrictions are repealed…. I am excited about the prospect. This is hugely rewarding for tourism for our entire region,” he said.

Ends

For more information about Giltedge, or to interview Sean Kritzinger, please email claire@bigambitions.co.za

About Giltedge

Giltedge is an award-winning travel group based in South Africa with a mission to enrich lives through innovative and sustainable travel experiences, from tailor-made safaris to Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, to FITs and group travel, outbound corporate and leisure travel, incentive travel and golf travel. Launched in 2001, Giltedge is owned by directors Sean Kritzinger and Murray Gardiner, and Accor, the biggest hotel group in the world.

I believe the repeal of these regulations will be a huge boost for tourism to South Africa and the greater Southern Africa. It is high time to normalise travel as is already happening in other countries around the world. The fact that we were under constant scrutiny for over two years and put on red lists has done a lot of damage to the greater tourism numbers. It’s important that we get back to pre-COVID normality. We can now finally market and sell our destination without being hampered by government regulations. The news that the regulations have been scrapped is not only exciting, it is also hugely rewarding for tourism to our destination.

DELTA AIR LINES AND GILTEDGE HOST US TRADE PARTNERS ON EXCLUSIVE ‘RELAUNCH SOUTH AFRICA’ TRIP

CAPE TOWN, 8 APRIL 2022 – Delta Air Lines, in collaboration with leading Africa travel expert, GILTEDGE, recently hosted esteemed US trade partners on an exclusive ‘Relaunch South Africa’ trip.

The trip, which featured a seamless, tailor-made itinerary, took place from 7 to 14 March and included industry experts from Jetset World Travel, Cadence Travel, Brownell, Protravel and TripArc, who were accompanied by GILTEDGE directors, Sean Kritzinger and Murray Gardiner, and a representative from Delta Air Lines.

The familiarisation trip was created in direct response to US travellers’ increasing demand and interest in booking holidays to South Africa, to provide trade partners with first-hand insights into the country and its extraordinary value proposition within a post-COVID world. According to Gardiner, the US is currently positioned to be South Africa’s leading inbound international market for 2022, with even more growth on the horizon.

As part of the itinerary, guests were treated to memorable visits to some of South Africa’s best-loved and celebrated regions, including Cape Town, Paarl, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve and Johannesburg, as well as luxurious stays at various sought-after properties.

“GILTEDGE put together such a wonderful itinerary with hand-selected properties and thoughtful execution with their ground-tour operators. The obvious highlight of the trip was experiencing a safari through the lens of Tswalu, along with swimming in False Bay,” said Meg Meyer of Cadence Travel. “Of course, travelling with Delta as our air carrier and experiencing the Delta One Suites was another highlight, and in my opinion, the best way to fly the open skies.”

“The properties were incredible. Just walking around Ellerman House and taking in the local art blew my mind. Being back on South African soil was fantastic,” commented Jill Taylor of Jetset World Travel.

“We were also really spoiled by Delta,” she adds. “The flight crew was so friendly, and the Delta One Suites’ pods gave us plenty of privacy.”

Delta relaunched its Johannesburg and Atlanta flights in August last year, now operating three times per week. If all goes well, Delta also plans to operate direct flights between Atlanta and Cape Town three times weekly, starting from November 2022.

“GILTEDGE and Delta look forward to welcoming an abundance of US visitors into sunny South Africa for the remainder of the year and beyond. Together with our partners, it’s our goal and our pleasure to use our expertise to assist them in fully appreciating the country’s many delights, diversity and unmatched out-of-the-box experiences for the duration of their visit,” Gardiner concludes.

Ends

For more information about GILTEDGE, or to interview Sean and Murray, please email claire@bigambitions.co.za or Olivia@bigambitions.co.za

About GILTEDGE

GILTEDGE is an award-winning travel group based in South Africa with a mission to enrich lives through innovative and sustainable travel experiences, from tailor-made safaris to Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, to FITs and group travel, outbound corporate and leisure travel, incentive travel and golf travel. Launched in 2001, Giltedge is owned by directors Sean Kritzinger and Murray Gardiner, and Accor, the biggest hotel group in the world.

The removal of the requirement for a PCR test to enter South Africa will be a massive game changer for Tourism to our region. This forward thinking by the health department and SA government is in line with international trends and will enable a much quicker return to pre covid tourism numbers when SA was in constant high demand. Our neighbouring countries too will benefit greatly due to the main access airports into the region being in South Africa!