Africa Travel WeekIt was just last year that Dream Hotels & Resorts, an exhibitor at ATW 2021, launched their collection of uniquely South African journeys.
With 21 properties in South Africa, the popular hotel group knows well that South Africa is filled with hidden gems, but navigating the many regions of the country and figuring out travel costs can get overwhelming.
“Experiencing South Africa doesn’t have to cost a fortune, which is why we launched our #SAJourneys in September last year,” says Marketing Manager of Dream Hotels & Resorts Sharmila Ragunanan.
”We mapped out a collection of uniquely South African experiences, pinpointing all those hidden hotspots where the roads are narrow and charming, the fences are lower, the faces are friendly, and the pace less is hurried.
“We wanted to offer our guests an additional value-add when booking their holiday accommodation, but more so to promote experiences in the regions surrounding our hotels and resorts where communities also need additional income and support,” she explains.
Now, just over six months after the launch of SA Journeys, Ragunanan says they have been delighted by the South African public’s reaction. “Proving once again how much diversity and beauty there is in South Africa, our clients and even first-time travellers have reached out for more information on how they can discover the hidden gems around our properties.”
”To help these travellers curate their personal travel itinerary, we have outlined fun activities and local attractions, as well as local restaurants or places to eat, around all our properties. We have also highlighted special kids’ activities or attractions for families.
To date, the most popular properties booked have been Finfoot Lake Reserve, Little Switzerland Resort and Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort.”
The #SAJourneys routes offer in-depth information and directions for important UNESCO World Heritage sites like iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal and lesser-known attractions like Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga.
“As borders slowly re-open and international visitors return, we need to remember to continue to promote local tourism, but also to make it accessible for our fellow South Africans to celebrate and enjoy.
“With the help of our general managers and staff at our properties, we’ve added in a few purely local experiences established by independent entrepreneurs, like Franschhoek’s Huguenot Fine Chocolates and The Drakensberg Brewery,” she adds.
“We believe that if more people can travel and experience South Africa, understand the diversity we have in this country and just how beautiful it is and how wonderful our communities are, it can only make ourselves better and hopefully go somewhere in making a dent in the challenges we have as a country,” adds Nick Dickson, CEO of Dream Hotels & Resorts. Listen to Nick’s interview on #SAJourneys on the Azania Mosaka Show here.
Ready to escape the ordinary? Take your pick of the collection of self-drive #SAJourneys:
- Discover the Drakensberg
- Escape to the Winelands
- Explore the Elephant Coast
- Discover the Greater Pilanesberg
- Wonders of the West Coast
- Escape to the sunny South Coast
- Discover the cradle of humankind
Unlock Africa and discover more about Dream Hotels & Resorts #SAJourneys here.
