Stellenbosch, South Africa, 7 July 2026: Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates an important milestone this year, marking 55 years of championing South African wine tourism and the wines of Stellenbosch. The centrepiece of this occasion is Wine Town Stellenbosch, which brings together wine producers, restaurants, accommodation establishments and visitors for nine days of exceptional wine and food experiences across the region, from 25 July to 2 August.

This year’s programme also incorporates the milestone anniversary through a number of special experiences, collaborations and anniversary events.

Whether you’re a regular to the region or a complete newbie, Wine Town Stellenbosch and the Stellenbosch Wine Festival will be worth your while, serving up outstanding experiences and rare tastings. Best of all – the event prides itself on pitching the broadest insight to Stellenbosch lifestyle, to experienced connoisseurs, newcomers and everyone in between, and completely over-delivering on value.  

If you’ve ever wanted an all-encompassing way to learn about South Africa’s capital of wine and experience the Stellenbosch lifestyle, Wine Town Stellenbosch is it. All in all, this is the attraction: the chance to stay and enjoy the setting of street cafés, galleries, luxurious stays, vineyards, outdoor adventures, a pedestrian-friendly town and most memorable food and wine.

Wine Town Stellenbosch comprises a nine-day programme of experiences taking place across the region that culminates in the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, an all-inclusive walk-around tasting at the City of Oaks’ historic town hall. On offer are specialised wine tours, workshops and curated vertical tastings as well as winemaker lunches and dinners, specials at restaurants around town and tastings hosted exclusively for the run of the event. 

Wine Town officially gets underway on Saturday, 25 July, with an inaugural Wine Town Run/Walk at Dornier Wine Estate, hosted in partnership with Runventure. Participants can choose between a scenic run or walk over 10km or 5km through the vineyards.

As part of the 55th anniversary, Stellenbosch Wine Routes has also introduced Celebrate With Us, a special Wine Town campaign in partnership with selected restaurants. Diners will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Stellenbosch wine with their meal, inviting guests to raise a toast to over half a decade of exceptional wines, memorable dining and the stories shared around social tables.

The programme, with detailed information for bookings and prices, is available now at https://winetown.wineroute.co.za/.

Wine events for everyone

A host of events is on offer during Wine Town Stellenbosch, and all are popular. If you’re keen to go, best to book early as reservations are limited.

Wilder as die Wildtuin brings together chefs Bertus Basson, Drikus Brink and Michael Fuller for an extraordinary nod to South African venison, featuring game personally hunted by Bertus, paired with Stellenbosch wines and hosted alongside the winemakers for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, food and wine.

Take a Journey into Chenin Blanc, exploring the nuance of terroir at DeMorgenzon Wine Estate. DeMorgenzon’s predominantly south-facing vineyards create cooler microclimates that give rise to finely poised, ethereal Chenin Blanc — and this daily tasting experience is a chance to explore exactly why.  

Discover the magic of Muratie during its Retro Rouge Winter Wine Fest. This much-loved get-together is a celebration of Muratie’s history through vintage wine, featuring food, wine, smooth company and live music.

Simonsig hosts Vintage Day where many of its older wines are available for tasting and buying. This year, marks the 55^thanniversary of its Kaapse Vonkel, to be celebrated with food, wine and live music. Simonsig’s winemakers spend days tasting and selecting the wines to showcase, with only vintages at the peak of their maturation making the cut.

Sip and Paint Experience at Clos Malverne Restaurant while looking at wine from a different perspective! Enjoy a relaxed, creative afternoon pairing canvas and brushes with Clos Malverne’s wines. Guidance and all painting essentials are included.

Delheim Wine Estate puts on its Live Music and Cheese Fondue Sundays in its cosy downstairs tasting cellar where snug with low ceilings and rustic, candlelit tables set the scene for families and friends to huddle around fondue pots, with the cheese swirled to an authentic Swiss recipe. Live music keeps it all in festive mood.

Morgenster, one of the Helderberg’s historic estates, hosts a fun, midweek Quiz Night. Teams of six go head-to-head over a night of trivia and wine. It’s a sociable way to experience Morgenster beyond the tasting room, with the estate’s refined Italian-influenced setting providing a memorable backdrop. 

Join Narina Cloete, Blaauwklippen winemaker celebrating a decade with the estate this year, for brunch at one of Stellenbosch’s oldest farms. The event offers a rare opportunity to sit down with the person behind the wines, ask questions, and enjoy a meal in exceptional company.

All the info on the Stellenbosch Wine Festival

 The highlight of Wine Town Stellenbosch and the region’s annual calendar is Stellenbosch Wine Festival. The historic event and South Africa’s oldest of its kind, has been held in various formats since the early 1970s.

It takes place over two days – Friday, 31 July (17h00–21h00) and Saturday, 1 August (14h00–18h00) – and brings together over 60 producers and more than 200 wines under one roof. 

Each ticket includes 20 tasting tokens, giving you the freedom to work your way through the range at your own pace. Food is taken care of too – chefs Bertus Basson and Adele Grewar put together a harvest table and abundant signature small plates and desserts, all included in the ticket price. Live music runs throughout the day, and an Aquasky water station is on hand to keep your palate refreshed between pours. Tickets are R600 online or R650 at the door. 

Special offers on accommodation

Take your Stellenbosch Wine Town and Wine Festival experience to a new level, by taking advantage of accommodation discounts being offered exclusively for the run of the event. Among the participating properties are luxury stays offered at between 15 and 20% discounts. Visit winetown.wineroute.co.za for terms and conditions, and more information.

General enquiries may be directed to info@wineroute.co.za or 021 886 4310. Stay up to date with events by following @stellwineroute on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

#WineTownStellenbosch #StellenboschWineFestival #ThinkQuality #DrinkStellenbosch #visitStellenbosch 

 ENDS/

“The expansion of these awards categories was deliberate, driven by what we were hearing from the industry – that talent across every discipline deserves to be seen. Hospitality is one of the most significant contributors to employment and economic activity in this country. A single tourism job typically supports up to seven people, meaning the ripple effect extends across entire households and communities. The people powering that contribution are too often invisible,” said FEDHASA Cape Chair and organiser of the event, Lee-Anne Singer.

“Recognition is not ceremonial. It’s a retention tool and a statement to the next generation that this is an industry worth dedicating a career to,” she added.

Guests were welcomed with signature cocktails from Motsamayi Tourism Group, while the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra provided an evening of entertainment befitting the occasion. Comedian Dalin Oliver served as master of ceremonies, bringing warmth and energy to a room that needed little encouragement to celebrate.

Rashid Toefy of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (EDAT) and Tracy Mkhize of Cape Town Tourism were also in attendance, serving as a reminder that the health of South Africa’s hospitality industry is not a private sector concern alone, but a matter of economic and social consequence for the country at large.

“FEDHASA is here to ensure that the professionals and businesses making up this industry have the advocacy and support they need to do what they do best. South Africa’s hospitality sector is projected to contribute more than R554.6 billion to our GDP and support nearly two million jobs by 2032. Realising that potential requires investment in people and policy that enables rather than constrains, and in an association that fights for this industry every single day. That’s what FEDHASA is here to do, and evenings like Wednesday’s are a reminder of exactly why it matters,” said FEDHASA National Chair, Brett Tungay.

The 2nd FEDHASA Hospitality Awards Winners:

• Hospitality Consultant of the Year: Theresa Prins, Revenue Resolutions
• Revenue & Distribution Manager of the Year: Eddie Venter, Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate
• Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year: Tricia Wood, Profitroom
• Front Office Manager of the Year: Jason Powell, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
• Concierge of the Year: Masood Sadulla, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
• Executive Housekeeper of the Year: Enara Muza, The Silo Hotel
• Beverage Professional of the Year: Bekithemba Moyo, Blue Wave Mobile Bar
• Meetings & Event Manager of the Year: Deidre Raubenheimer, University of Cape Town
• Chef of the Year: Christo Pretorius, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
• Digital Innovation & Technology Professional of the Year: José Soares, The Capital Hotels & Apartments
• Finance Professional of the Year: Louise Waddicor, The Silo Hotel
• Talent Manager of the Year: Lee-Anne Burrows, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
• Sustainability & ESG Professional of the Year: Sonica Matthee, Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate
• Spa & Wellness Manager of the Year: Joanne Lyons, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
• Rising Star of the Year: Thanaa Norodien, Singer Group
• Trailblazer Award: Lance Gibbons, SA Chef Media
• General Manager of the Year: Yuri De Villiers, Shamwari Private Game Reserve
• Leader of the Year: George Cohen, Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

The 2nd FEDHASA Hospitality Awards were made possible through the generous support of:

Motsamayi Tourism Group, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Access Group, TBCSA, Bryte Insurance, Ankerdata, RoomPriceGenie, StayNTouch, Smart Operator, HotelTime, Santam, FNB, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and Fuel.

It’s a beautiful picture, yes, but it tells only part of the story.

The Stellenbosch that reveals itself to those who look a little deeper, who wake early and follow a river instead of a map, is something else entirely. A place of genuine surprise, where the most memorable moments were never on the itinerary.

According to Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch:

“Stellenbosch has always been extraordinary. What has changed is the invitation. This year, we are moving beyond the highlights reel and asking a more meaningful question: what happens when you stop ticking boxes and start paying attention? The answer, captured in our promise of ‘Unexpected Firsts. Unforgettable Moments,’ is what this town has always quietly offered. Some places you visit. Stellenbosch, you experience.”

Here is what a single day of paying attention might actually look like – just one example of the thousands of incredible, unexpected “firsts” that await…

Sunrise: The Valley That Wakes Before the Town Does

There is a quieter, more intimate side of Stellenbosch that reveals itself in the early hours of the day.

Before the estates open their gates and the coffee shops pull back their shutters, the Dwarsrivier Valley (a stretch of raw, unhurried landscape framed by the Simonsberg mountains and threaded by the Dwars River) is already alive, offering the kind of stillness that makes you aware of your own breathing.

Accessible via the R310, roughly 10 to 20 kilometres from the town centre, the valley draws trail runners and mountain bikers who understand something others are only beginning to discover: that this landscape, at this specific time, is one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.

There are trails of varying lengths for both mountain bikers and runners, winding through rocky singletrack and open farmland with elevation gains that reward the effort with panoramic views across the valley floor. The paths suit a range of fitness levels, and local guides are available for those who prefer company over solitude.

Morning: A Gallery with No Walls

Come mid-morning, after a comforting cuppa and an energising breakfast, you can choose to follow the Eerste River and let it lead you somewhere special.

The Stellenbosch Art Mile is a 1.6-kilometre open-air gallery that runs along the riverbank from the Krige Street pedestrian bridge to the Coetzenburg bridge, crossing six bridges beneath a canopy of trees. It’s free and open around the clock, and it asks nothing of you except that you pay attention.

Various South African artists have placed their work along this route, including interactive metal sculptures and site-specific pieces tied to the river’s geology and history. Recent themes have explored concepts of reflection, time, and the layered human relationship with landscape. QR codes on many of the works connect to the artists directly, but there’s no gift shop and no queue.

For those who want to extend the morning, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden sits just a short drive away on Paradyskloof Road: seven hectares of indigenous fynbos and mountain views populated by more than 60 bronze sculptures exploring wilderness and the deeper terrain of the human psyche. Visits are by appointment only, which means you’ll never share the encounter with a crowd.

Together, the two experiences form something rare: an art morning that feels genuinely discovered rather than consumed.

Midday: The Table You Were Not Expecting

Forget, for a moment, everything the word “tasting” conjures.

In the Kayamandi township, just minutes from the centre of Stellenbosch, Nocawe Piedt opens her home and her table to visitors in a way that changes what hospitality means in this part of the world. This is the Township & Village home dining experience, and it’s unlike anything else available in the Winelands.

The table is laden with traditional Xhosa dishes, like pap, chakalaka, samp, stew, spinach with potatoes, pumpkin with sweet corn, and chicken feet, alongside amagwinya, the traditional Xhosa beer that has been poured at celebrations here for generations. There’s dancing, drumming, storytelling, and the particular warmth of a community that has chosen to share its culture not as a performance, but as a genuine act of welcome.

It’s the most unexpected lunch in the Winelands. It is also, for many who experience it, the most unforgettable.

Afternoon: A Tasting That Tastes Like South Africa

The conventional wine tasting is not what Vergenoegd Löw had in mind when they created their Indigenous Tasting.

Spekboom. Bokkoms. Roosterkoek. Kaiings. Amasi. Dexter biltong. Kei apple. The Indigenous Tasting draws on ingredients that have sustained communities across southern Africa for centuries. Flavours that most visitors have never encountered and that most tasting rooms would never think to serve. Each element is paired with estate-grown wines that reflect what Vergenoegd Löw calls their “merroir”: the particular character of this specific place and this specific soil.

It’s a tasting that asks a quiet but significant question: how well do you actually know this land?

The answer, for most visitors, is not as well as they thought. Which is precisely the point.

Sunset: The Street That Becomes a Living Room

As the light turns golden and the oak trees cast long shadows across Drostdy Street, something shifts in Stellenbosch. The energy is contagious and everyone, locals and visitors alike, comes together to laugh, eat, sip, chat, and simply enjoy the moment.

The Stellenbosch Street Soirées, a summertime highlight, are among the most joyful expressions of what this town truly is at its core: a community that genuinely enjoys itself. Wine tokens in hand, visitors graze on street food and find themselves in conversations they never planned to have with people they never expected to meet.

No itinerary leads here, and no booking is required. You simply follow the music and let the evening unfold.

It is the perfect final note for a day that began in a misty valley and moved through river art, a township kitchen, and an indigenous wine pairing. A day that looked nothing like the Stellenbosch most visitors would imagine, and everything like the one they will spend years trying to describe to people who were not there.

Stellenbosch is only 40 minutes from Cape Town, or a scenic 25-minute helicopter transfer away, placing you within easy reach of your next unforgettable moment. For more information on experiences, visit www.visitstellenbosch.org

-ENDS-

Media Contact: visitstellenbosch@bigambitions.co.za     

Moving past the traditional “must-do” checklists that dominate travel marketing, the repositioning serves as an open invitation to travellers: come experience Stellenbosch for the first time, or, for those who think they know the destination, come rediscover it in an entirely new way. The initiative is designed to appeal to the “Considered Traveller” – demographic defined by curiosity rather than budget. These are visitors, local and international, who seek meaningful immersion over surface-level sightseeing.

Just a 40-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport – or a scenic 20 to 30-minute helicopter transfer from Cape Town, Stellenbosch offers a world that both contrasts with and complements a Cape Town city stay. 

The Strategic Transition from Transaction to Emotion

For decades, Stellenbosch has been at the heart of South Africa’s most sought-after travel experiences. However, familiarity can often mask depth. This new positioning challenges both first-time arrivals and veteran visitors of the region to look closer.

“The definition of luxury travel has fundamentally changed. While it used to revolve around exclusivity and opulence, it is now about access to the authentic,” said Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch. “This repositioning is an invitation to shed assumptions. We are moving our narrative from what visitors can do to how Stellenbosch makes them feel.”

The invitation is structured around five narrative pillars that reflect the region’s diverse offering, designed to drive longer stays and deeper engagement across the destination’s unified ecosystem:

• Food & Wine Experiences: Stepping out of the tasting room and into moments of intimacy and craft. From tasting directly from the barrel with a winemaker, to a fire-cooked dining beneath open skies at VUUR, these are experiences that unfold slowly and linger long after.
• Outdoor Adventure & Active Lifestyle: Chasing “first light” on over 1,000 kilometres of mountain biking trails, including the iconic Cape Epic networks, where the focus shifts from exertion to perspective and the landscape reveals itself in silence and scale.
• Arts, Culture & Heritage: Finding the connections between human, nature, and art through an early morning walk in the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden or immersive township tours that pulse with local rhythm.
• Wellness, Nature & Slow Living: A recalibration of pace. Slowing down in the Winelands through botanical workshops and regenerative farming tours that connect visitors to the heartbeat of working landscapes.
• Social, Family & Community: Shared tables, open streets, and spontaneous connection. From Stellenbosch Street Soirées to harvest celebrations, visitors are welcomed not as spectators, but as participants in a living, breathing community.

“This is a long-term brand positioning, not a short-term campaign,” explained Liebenberg. “We’re targeting the traveller who values the ‘un-Googled’ experience. By highlighting these visceral moments, we’re giving our trade partners a powerful tool to re-engage clients. We want to prove that even in a historic town so close to Cape Town, there is always an unexpected first waiting to be discovered.”

The initiative makes its official international trade debut at WTM Africa, 13 to 15 April 2026, in Cape Town, aligning with Visit Stellenbosch’s broader 2030 vision of building and maintaining a high-yield, sustainable tourism economy.

For media enquiries or to arrange a meeting with the Visit Stellenbosch team at WTM Africa, contact visitstellenbosch@bigambitions.co.za.

-ENDS-

AirlinePros International unveiled its Digital Destination Marketing Portal, FlyingCarpet.travel at its four-day International Assembly in Cape Town, targeting what industry insiders say is one of 2026’s biggest challenges: helping travel advisors find and book the authentic experiences their clients increasingly demand.  

The Portal launch comes as travel professionals report a fundamental shift in client requests. Travellers are walking away from traditional tourist attractions, asking instead for cooking classes with local families, stays at community-owned lodges, and workshops with traditional craftspeople – experiences that until now have been nearly impossible for advisors to source and book.  

“Travel advisors have been telling us for months that their clients want authentic experiences, but they can’t find them through normal booking channels,” said Achma Asokan Foster, Group CEO of AirlinePros International. “Nobody knows about the Trappist Trail in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, yet everyone talks about the Camino in Spain. We’re not talking about slightly off-the-beaten-path tours. Clients want the real thing: experiences that actually benefit local communities.”  

The Aladdin’s world program on FlyingCarpet.Travel portal showcases previously hidden experiences like Zambia’s extraordinary bat migration at Kasanka National Park – where 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats create the world’s largest mammal migration from October to December – and South Africa’s Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail, a spiritual walking route through historic mission stations in KwaZulu-Natal that rivals Spain’s famous Camino routes.  

Bridging NTOs, DMOs and Travel Advisors 

Aladdin’s World, part of AirlinePros International’s expanding digital portfolio, serves as a destination marketing and fulfilment solution that bridges National Tourism Organisations, Destination Management Organisations, and travel advisors seeking bookable authentic experiences.  

It provides travel advisors with integrated booking capabilities and real-time transactional features that traditional informational NTO sites lack. Unlike commoditised OTA platforms focused on price competition, Aladdin’s World emphasises destination uniqueness and quality while providing zero-cost core services for participating NTOs, removing barriers that previously prevented smaller destinations from accessing professional travel distribution networks.  

Empowering SMEs Through Advanced Technology 

The platform’s breakthrough lies in giving small and medium enterprises access to the same booking infrastructure available to major hotel chains and tour operators. Through the “Oasis” Local Supplier CMS & Booking Engine, currently under development, local artisans, family-run lodges, and community guides will manage real-time booking and multi-tier pricing through easy-to-use supplier dashboards.  

“For the first time, a traditional craft workshop or family-run eco-lodge will be able to offer travel advisors the same instant booking confirmation and professional service standards as international operators,” Foster explained. Features include automated promotions, resource allocation tools, and supplier notification systems that level the playing field for authentic local providers.  

AI-Powered Solutions Meet Market Demand 

The timing addresses what industry research confirms is 2026’s defining travel trend: complete rejection of manufactured tourism experiences. Multiple industry reports highlight travellers prioritising cultural depth, meaningful experiences, and alternatives to ‘overtourised’ destinations.  

Travel advisors benefit from the platform’s “Genie” AI-Powered Destination Trip Planner, which provides smart recommendations and itinerary adjustments, plus data-driven marketing insights that traditional platforms don’t offer. One-click booking capabilities for flights, hotels and tours streamline the booking process, while interactive chatbot and voice command features enhance user experience.  

Industry Recognition and Global Reach 

Operating across over 60 countries through AirlinePros’ established network, the platform leverages decades of airline industry expertise to provide the reliability travel advisors need while connecting them with experiences previously accessible only through complex local arrangements.  

The Cape Town assembly brought together representatives from nearly 70 global offices, aviation and tourism leaders, and media professionals exploring pressing industry themes from sustainability to AI integration, highlighting the platform’s strategic timing as the industry addresses evolving client demands.  

As UN Tourism’s Elcia Grandcourt notes: “What visitors don’t see is how tourism preserves culture, creates opportunities for young people to thrive in their communities, and safeguards biodiversity.” The platform directly supports this by ensuring booking revenue flows to local providers rather than international intermediaries. 

For more information, or interview opportunities, please contact Michelle Loewenstein at mich@bigambitions.co.za 

In a major win for tourism and hospitality on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, the National Department of Public Works has taken control of 15 prime seafront properties in Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality and delegated their management to KZN Public Works for the next 20 years – securing long-awaited business certainty for operators.

This milestone follows more than a year of active engagement led by FEDHASA after the association was alerted in early 2024 that numerous coastal hospitality businesses were being restricted to month-to-month leases by the local municipality. This untenable arrangement resulted in some businesses closing and many others struggling to trade sustainably.

“The industry simply cannot function on month-to-month leases,” comments FEDHASA National Chairperson Brett Tungay. “Without long-term security, operators are unable to obtain liquor licences, secure finance, invest in infrastructure or offer proper employment contracts. Compliance was near impossible.”

FEDHASA initially engaged CoGTA to intervene, requesting that leases be extended to practical timeframes or that the properties be transparently released to tender. However, little progress was made.

Following the formation of the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) mid-2024, FEDHASA escalated the matter to the KZN MEC for Public Works, Martin Meyer. This prompted an in-person meeting in Durban with MEC Meyer and National Minister of Public Works, Dean Macpherson – who immediately recognised the risks to local tourism, jobs and investment.

On 10 November, Minister Macpherson’s department formally assumed custodianship of the 15 properties and delegated their management to KZN Public Works under a 20-year mandate. The move is expected to enable sustainable investment, unlock job creation and revitalise tourism along the South Coast.

Minister Macpherson, a strong advocate for tourism-led growth, emphasised the importance of providing long-term certainty for private-sector operators to invest with confidence and create sustainable jobs.

Many affected businesses attended the announcement and expressed deep appreciation to FEDHASA for championing the issue. Public Works officials also extended special thanks to FEDHASA’s KZN Deputy Chair, Mandy Massey, whose on-the-ground involvement, research and multiple site visits were instrumental in achieving this outcome.

“This is FEDHASA walking the talk,” said Brett Tungay.  “We are committed to creating an operating environment where hospitality businesses can not only survive – but thrive.”

FEDHASA looks forward to seeing these 15 properties rehabilitated and re-activated, helping to unlock investment, boost visitor numbers and accelerate South Coast tourism growth.

This recognition stands out as Denis Private Island is the only locally owned, independent hotel among the Seychelles awardees – a line-up that includes major international brands. This is a homegrown hospitality success story, sustained by a team that has cultivated a tradition of doing things differently — quietly, thoughtfully, and with a deep respect for the environment.

The MICHELIN Key is the hospitality world’s benchmark of excellence, introduced in 2024 by the same trusted authority behind the MICHELIN Star for restaurants. It celebrates hotels that offer not just a place to stay, but an experience to remember — where architecture, service, character, value, and connection-to-place converge to create truly extraordinary experiences.

Denis Private Island’s Two Key distinction signals an exceptional stay: a hotel “unique in every way,” where “a memorable experience is always a guarantee.” According to MICHELIN, if you’re anywhere near a Two Key hotel, “do whatever you can to get there for a night.”

Luxury, Reimagined

Denis Private Island is not your typical luxury resort. It is a living, breathing island community, where barefoot luxury meets purpose-driven hospitality. With just 23 beachfront cottages, no in-room WiFi or televisions, and a commitment to conservation that spans land and sea, Denis offers guests a rare opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature — and themselves.

From handcrafted furniture made in the island’s own carpentry workshop to farm-to-table dining sourced almost entirely from Denis Island’s own organic farm, every detail is designed to reflect a deep respect for place. Guests wake to the call of sea birds, snorkel pristine reefs, and dine on line- caught seafood and seasonal produce grown just steps from their cottage.

A Destination to Visit — and to Watch

The MICHELIN Key recognition comes at a time when Denis Private Island is expanding its conservation footprint. The island recently launched a coral reef restoration initiative using Reef Star technology, built on-site to reduce emissions and empower local craftsmanship. Its surrounding waters, part of a designated Marine Protected Area, are a biodiversity hotspot — home to manta rays, nesting sea turtles and even migratory whale sharks and blue whales.

Denis Island is also the only place in the world where guests can spot three of Seychelles’ most endangered bird species — the Seychelles Magpie Robin, Paradise Flycatcher, and Warbler — thriving thanks to decades of habitat restoration.

“This recognition is not just a win for Denis Private Island,” says Alan Mason, part of the family legacy behind Denis Private Island, “it’s a win for sustainable tourism, for local craftsmanship, and for the idea that luxury can be thoughtful, connected, and deeply rooted in place.”

As one of only four hotels in Seychelles to receive MICHELIN Key status — and the only one that is locally owned and independently operated — Denis Private Island continues to set the bar for eco-conscious luxury in the Indian Ocean.

Wake up here. Leave enriched. More information at denisisland.com.

• Year-round connectivity from Johannesburg to Jamestown
• Seasonal boost with weekly flights from Cape Town between December and March
• Allows long-term planning for travellers and tourism industry
• Flights can be booked up to 360 days in advance

South Africa – St Helena Tourism is pleased to announce, in partnership with our airline partner Airlink, the release of an 18-month forward flight schedule to St Helena Island. This schedule provides visitors and residents with enhanced visibility of planned flight operations, offering greater confidence and flexibility when planning travel to one of the world’s most unique and remote destinations.

Under the schedule, Airlink will continue to operate its regular weekly Saturday service between Johannesburg (JNB) and St Helena (HLE), maintaining consistent connectivity between the island and mainland Africa.

In addition, from mid-December 2026 through to the mid-March 2027, Airlink will introduce a seasonal Tuesday return service between Cape Town and St Helena, catering to increased travel demand during the southern summer months.

While the published schedule extends 18 months into the future, it is important to note that flights can only be booked up to 360 days in advance, in line with Airlink’s booking system. Travellers and tourism operators can therefore plan ahead with confidence, knowing flight timings and service frequencies well beyond the current booking window.

This expanded scheduling horizon marks a significant step in supporting the island’s growing tourism sector and strengthening links with South Africa and beyond. By offering longer-term visibility of flight operations, the island’s businesses, tour operators, and hospitality partners can better prepare for upcoming travel seasons.

“This 18-month schedule demonstrates our continued collaboration with Airlink and our shared commitment to making St Helena more accessible to travellers from across the globe,” said Minister Karl Thrower, Minister for Economic Development for St Helena. “It reflects the island’s steady growth as a distinctive, authentic travel destination offering a unique blend of history, culture, marine, hiking, conservation, and adventure activities.”

Katherine Whelan, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlink, added: “We are proud to continue connecting St Helena to the world through our Johannesburg and seasonal Cape Town services. The release of this extended schedule gives travellers the confidence to plan well in advance and supports the island’s ongoing tourism and economic development. St Helena is a remarkable destination, and Airlink is delighted to play a role in opening it up to more visitors.”

Bookings can be made directly via the Airlink website or through your local travel agent.

ENDS

St Helena is one of the world’s most remote islands. It is a subtropical paradise where the mountainous terrain and microclimates create an astounding diversity of landscapes all within a few minutes’ drive. Boasting clean air, a sparkling ocean environment, and a safe community (pop. 4,439), St Helena is an off-the-beaten-track, bucket-list destination. Boasting more than 500 plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth, the island is also renowned for its diving and marine experiences. Additionally, St Helena is home to Jonathan the Tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal! 

For further information on travel to St Helena, including entry requirements and visitor experiences, please visit [www.sthelenatourism.com].

Issued by

Big Ambitions Marketing

Email: sthelena@bigambitions.co.za 

Notes to editors: 

For any trade or media enquiries, please contact: roland@bigambitions.co.za     

For more tourism information about St Helena please, visit www.sthelenatourism.com

Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, chair of the judging panel and founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), said responsible tourism is about making better places for people to live in and visit.

“All of the Global Responsible Tourism Award winners have explained what they took responsibility for, what they did and with what impact. We hope they will inspire other organisations to follow in their footsteps,” said Goodwin.

This recognition caps a breakthrough year in which T&V has so far channelled more than R1,000,000 in cash payments directly to local community partners – guides, hosts, cooks, artists and other entrepreneurs – through paid bookings and donations from guests, T&V and our partners.

“This award belongs to the people who make the experiences – our guides, hosts, cooks, musicians and storytellers,” said René Momberg, Head of Growth, Experiences & Partnerships at T&V. “The Global Silver recognises a consistent, collective effort by our community entrepreneurs, the Greater Stellenbosch Trust and other strategic partners that powers the work we do.”

“Our model for T&V is simple: co‑create with communities, keep the economics fair, and sell to the right buyers,” added Leana Kotze, Head of Strategy & Implementation at Greater Stellenbosch Trust (GST), T&V’s sole shareholder and long‑term backer. “With the right ecosystem support, responsible tourism amplifies every rand invested into community earnings. In 2025 we’ve seen this backing translate into at least five times that value in real local earnings.”

“Township and Village proves that responsible tourism isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a powerful economic engine that creates dignity, ownership and sustainable livelihood,” said Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch. “As Stellenbosch’s tourism offering expands, T&V gives us the blueprint for ensuring that growth serves everyone, from the storytellers of Kayamandi to the artisans of Ida’s Valley. The T&V enterprise creates pathways to prosperity that honour our communities’ heritage while providing unique, enriching visitor experiences. That’s community tourism leadership at its finest!”

Powered by people and partners

None of this is possible without our community partners across Kayamandi, Ida’s Valley, Kylemore, Pniël and Jamestown – the entrepreneurs who open their communities and homes, share their stories and co‑own the experiences.

We also acknowledge our current and historic strategic partners whose patronage makes inclusive tourism work: the Greater Stellenbosch Trust, Cause Development Agency, Visit Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands District Municipality, Stellenbosch Municipality, Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape (DEDAT) and Old Mutual Foundation.

The story of this year (highlights)

• Quality demand, real earnings: Large group bookings from Edwin Doran Sports Tours and Fairfield Tours, plus spectacular craft‑shop sales put consistent money into local hands.
• Experiences made with – not for – communities: Constant renewal and refinement of offers across home dining, heritage walks, music and craft in all communities we work in.
• People before product: A new guide cohort trained and mentored with regional partners – building careers, not just shifts.
• Doing it right: Completion of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism-sponsored Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Programme (STEP) and adoption of a robust policy suite.

About Township & Village

Township & Village is a community‑based tourism initiative in Stellenbosch that co‑creates and delivers experiences led by local residents – from heritage walks and storytelling evenings to home dining, music and craft. The model prioritises dignity, ownership and fair economics for community partners and aligns with international responsible tourism standards.

Media enquiries & bookings
Website: townshipandvillage.co.za
Email: reservations@townshipandvillage.co.za
Insta and FB: @townshipandvillage

Notes to editors

• Awards: Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 – Global Silver (Peace, Understanding & Inclusivity; sponsored by Sabre); WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 – Gold (same category).
• 2025 milestone: R1,000,000+ paid in cash directly to community partners (Jan–Oct 2025).
• Media assets: High‑res images and interviews on request.

ENDS

Umhlanga – Tourism and hospitality leaders from across KwaZulu-Natal will gather at The Oyster Box Hotel on 6 November 2025, for the inaugural KZN Tourism and Hospitality Think Tank. Held under the theme “Changing the Narrative Through Collaboration”, the event will bring together people working within the province’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem to explore opportunities, address challenges, and co-create practical solutions for the sector’s growth.

While the event is spearheaded by major industry players such as Red Carnation, Sun International, First Resorts, Beekman Group, ANEW Hotels, African Sky, Champagne Sports Resort, and Dream Hotels & Resorts, participation is open to all who are passionate about rebuilding and promoting tourism in KZN.

The initiative follows the success of the third Hospitality Industry Think Tank in Johannesburg in August 2025, where tourism professionals from across South Africa gathered to share ideas, innovations, and strategies for sustainable growth. In addition to raising R180K for the non-profit organisation Touching Dreams, the Johannesburg session identified several national priorities for collective action.

One of the strongest themes to emerge was the need to position South Africa as more than a “two-pot” destination. Delegates emphasised that tourism growth depends on showcasing the country’s diversity beyond Cape Town and Kruger National Park. KwaZulu-Natal was identified as a natural focus area, with its unique combination of beach, berg, and bush experiences.

“KZN is the full package and the obvious place to focus our efforts for an immediate impact,” says Chris Godenir, Touching Dreams ambassador and creator of the annual Hospitality Industry Think Tank.

“A lot has been done over the past two years to improve tourism in the province, but much of that work has happened in silos and progress has been slow. Our goal is to unite all KZN players so that we can move in the same direction, pool our resources, and maximise our collective impact,” added Godenir.

Held in association with FEDHASA, SATSA, and VOASA, the Think Tank will focus on five core themes:

• Collaboration – Aligning public and private sectors for integrated development to strategise the new narrative and rebrand KZN.
• Fixing the foundations –  Addressing infrastructure challenges and inefficient municipalities.
• Reviving state-owned assets – Unlocking the potential of environmental and cultural attractions.
• Promoting economic growth – With tourism as a catalyst for job creation, sustainability and social stability.
• Promoting heritage and culture – Respectfully navigating governance in the Zulu Kingdom.

Each theme will be explored by a panel of industry experts, with active audience participation encouraged. Discussions will culminate in a summarised action plan outlining tangible outcomes and specific follow-up responsibilities.  As a first port of call, the key findings will be presented to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs at the Provincial Tourism Conference, which has been proposed for 7 November 2025. This will ensure that insights and recommendations reach key decision makers immediately.

“The KZN Tourism and Hospitality Think Tank is not meant to be a talkshop—it’s about driving meaningful action and measurable change,” says Roger Macquet, Director, Champagne Sports Resort.

“We urgently need to shift the narrative from one that focuses on KZN’s challenges, to one that highlights its successes and immense potential. The province has everything to offer both local and international travellers, and is a year-round destination. After a few tough years, it’s time to put KZN back on the map.”

Proceeds will once again benefit Touching Dreams, specifically the Think Big Academy in KZN, an initiative dedicated to creating youth employment opportunities within the tourism sector.

The headline sponsor of the event is SATIB Insurance Brokers, who offer specialist insurance cover for the tourism, hospitality, and leisure industries of Africa.

“As a specialist broker focused on understanding the evolving needs of the tourism and hospitality industries, collaboration is at the heart of what we do,” says Kevin Watson, Executive Head, SATIB Insurance Brokers.

“Finding solutions that help reduce risk and strengthen these vital sectors is something we care deeply about. The Think Tank provides an important platform to address some of the province’s most pressing challenges, and we are pleased to be part of this collective effort,” adds Watson.

Reserve your space at this industry-leading event:

• KZN Tourism and Hospitality Think Tank
• Dream the Impossible Dream Gala Cocktail Event

Sponsor the event or a become a Touching Dreams donor: https://touchingdreams.co.za/get-involved

ENDS

This press release has been issued on behalf of Touching Dreams. For more information, images and interview requests, please contact Touching Dreams Communications lead, Laura Rapson, on +27 72 379 0481 or laura.rapson.comms@gmail.com.

About Touching Dreams

Touching Dreams (NPC Reg No: 2021/875826/08) is a non-profit company, established to foster the collective power of South Africa’s tourism industry to drive real, positive change. It provides a platform for hospitality providers to give back to the communities and environments where they operate.

Hospitality and tourism are in a unique position to assist the most remote regions in South Africa. Through meaningful collaboration, Touching Dreams supports host communities, with the aim of nurturing and developing our future leaders. It also branches into wildlife conservation and environmental protection.

For tourism to be sustainable, it needs to support and give back to the communities and natural habitats that are impacted. And with the right collaboration and intentional support from different industry players, these environments will not only be supported, but can truly thrive.