PEOPLE, PURPOSE & THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
Meet the team behind Into Africa — and discover how a small contribution can make a meaningful difference.
At Into Africa, we believe that exceptional travel is about so much more than the places you visit. It’s about the people who bring each journey to life, the relationships that make the magic happen, and the positive legacy we leave behind.
In this edition, we’re introducing you to the people behind Into Africa and sharing a project that’s especially close to our hearts. Because when experience, collaboration and purpose come together, wonderful things happen.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MAGIC
Local knowledge. Personal connections. Extraordinary experiences.
Since 1991, Into Africa has been creating memorable travel experiences across Southern and East Africa. As a privately owned Cape Town-based Destination Management Company (DMC), we combine decades of experience with a genuine passion for our continent and the people who make it special.
But what really sets us apart? Our people.
We’re a close-knit, experienced team who believe that the best results come from listening, collaborating and building lasting partnerships. We take the time to understand your clients, your objectives and the little details that turn a good itinerary into something truly exceptional.
Two specialist teams. One shared passion for Africa.
Our Business Events team, led by Alex Wrottesley, brings conferences, incentives and corporate events to life. From creative programme design and seamless logistics to meaningful local experiences, we know that successful events require both meticulous planning and the ability to think on our feet.
Our Leisure team, led by Frances Wilson, creates tailor-made journeys for individuals, families and groups. Think extraordinary safaris, multi-generational adventures, specialist interest tours, wine and gourmet experiences, and those wonderfully unexpected moments that become lifelong memories.
Behind the scenes, our project managers, travel consultants, product specialists, finance and operations teams all play their part. Each brings a different skill set, but we share the same commitment: to make life easier for our partners and deliver experiences that exceed expectations.
We’re proud of the long-standing relationships we’ve built with our clients and suppliers over the years. They’re founded on trust, transparency, flexibility and a hands-on approach — including being there when plans change and solutions are needed quickly.
We’re big enough to deliver complex programmes, yet small enough to know our partners personally and give every brief the attention it deserves.
Think of us as your team on the ground in Africa.
We bring the local insight, trusted connections and practical expertise that allow you to focus on your clients, confident that they’re in good hands.
Curious to meet the faces behind the experiences? Get to know our team here: https://intoafrica.com/meet-our-team/
A special shout-out to the President Hotel!
Partnership in action — creating opportunities for the next generation.
We’d like to give a huge thank you to the President Hotel for partnering with us and helping bring the spirit of Pack for a Purpose to life.
Together, we arranged a special educational day for a group of learners, offering them a glimpse into the many career opportunities available within the tourism and hospitality industries.
The day began at the President Hotel, where the learners enjoyed an introduction to the hotel and a presentation on how tourism contributes to South Africa’s economy and creates employment.
They were treated to milkshakes before exploring the hotel, viewing rooms of different standards and discovering the public areas that guests enjoy. They also went behind the scenes to meet the marketing and reservations teams, as well as the hotel’s dedicated greening team, who shared insights into sustainability in hospitality.
A beautiful packed lunch and thoughtful gift bags added a special touch to the experience.
The visit continued at the Into Africa offices, where our team welcomed the learners and introduced them to the world of destination management — from designing itineraries and coordinating travel to creating the experiences that bring visitors to our shores.
It was more than a day out. It was an opportunity to broaden horizons, spark curiosity and show young people that tourism can offer a pathway to exciting careers.
To the President Hotel team: thank you for your generosity, enthusiasm and willingness to share your knowledge. Your partnership helped make this a memorable and potentially inspiring experience for these learners.
OPENING DOORS TO THE FUTURE OF TOURISM
Inspiring the next generation, one classroom at a time.
What does it really take to build a career in tourism? And how can we help young people see the opportunities waiting for them beyond the classroom?
These are the questions at the heart of a collaborative educational initiative led by Cape Town Tourism and Big Tree Marketing, under the direction of Lindsey Gibaud, with Into Africa contributing industry experience and practical insights.
The workshops aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the realities of working in tourism and hospitality, reaching close to 3,500 Grade 10–12 learners across communities including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Hout Bay and Woodstock.
Beyond the textbook
Tourism is about so much more than hotels and tour guiding. It’s a diverse, dynamic industry offering opportunities in marketing, technology, data, entrepreneurship, event management and experience design — and these workshops help learners discover just how many different paths their future could take.
Industry professionals share honest, practical insights into the world of work, from professional etiquette, communication and personal presentation to the importance of managing their digital footprint and social media presence.
The conversations also tackle the realities behind the scenes, including workplace safety, emergency procedures, insurance and liability — equipping learners with a better understanding of what it takes to work confidently and responsibly in the industry.
Through lively panel discussions, candid questions, tourism quizzes and interactive activities, learners have the opportunity to engage directly with people working in the sector, hear real-world stories and explore possibilities they may never have considered.
Turning inspiration into opportunity
For Into Africa, being involved is about more than sharing industry knowledge. It’s about helping young people recognise their potential, understand the breadth of opportunities available and begin imagining a future in an industry that plays such an important role in Cape Town’s economy.
By bringing together the destination expertise of Cape Town Tourism, the collaborative approach of Big Tree Marketing and the experience of tourism professionals, the initiative demonstrates what can happen when the industry works together with a shared purpose.
The bigger ambition? To help build a stronger pipeline of local talent and create more sustainable employment opportunities across communities throughout the Cape Peninsula.
Because the future of tourism starts with the people we inspire today.
We’re proud to contribute to an initiative that connects education with real-world experience, opens doors for young people and helps shape a more inclusive future for our industry
Small actions. Meaningful impact.
At Into Africa, we’re proud that our work can extend beyond the journeys and events we organise. Through Pack for a Purpose and the Tourism Workshops, we have a way to connect travel with practical community support — and we’re delighted to work alongside partners who share that commitment.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip or group programme to South Africa, consider leaving a little room in the suitcase for something that can make a difference.
Because the best journeys don’t just create wonderful memories. They leave something good behind.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Pack for a Purpose, to Dassenberg Rescue for the work they do, and especially to the President Hotel for helping us turn our shared values into action.
Travel well. Travel thoughtfully. Travel with purpose.
The Into Africa Team