Windhoek, Namibia — Gondwana Collection Namibia recognised the outstanding contributions of its tour operator and consultant partners at the "Simply the Best" Operator Evening last night. The event acknowledged these partners' vital role in promoting Gondwana Collection Namibia's offerings and experiences to travellers.
Top Performers Take Centre Stage
The ceremony highlighted the achievements of top performers across Gondwana Collection, Namibia2Go, and Go2 booking platforms.
Accommodation: Sense of Africa, Namibia Track & Trails, Pack Safaris, Private Safaris, and African Travel Concept emerged as the top revenue generators for Gondwana Collection bookings in 2023.
Namibia2Go: African Profile Safaris, Great Explorations Namibia, Ondjamba Safaris, Cullinan Namibia Tours & Safaris, and Damarana Safaris were recognised for their leading role in driving Namibia2Go bookings.
Go2: Namibia Tracks & Trails received recognition for being the top revenue generator on the Go2 platform.
Appreciation and Recognition for Continued Support
Several tour operators and consultants were presented with Appreciation Awards for their ongoing dedication and support. These included Bluecrane Safaris Namibia (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Roncook Safaris (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Premier Safaris (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Way Way Namibia Travel & Tours (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Akilanga DMC & Events (Gondwana Collection Namibia), Lifestyle Travel & Tours (Namibia2Go), African Dream Travel Namibia (Namibia2Go), African Eagle Southern Africa Territories (Namibia2Go), Terra Nova Tours & Incentives (Namibia2Go), and Exclusive Africa Tours & Safaris (Namibia2Go).
Individual Excellence Highlighted
The evening also saw individuals who consistently deliver exceptional service honoured with Performance Awards. Frieda lilonga (Namibia Tracks & Trails), Michelle Suren (Pack Safaris), Inka von Wenzel (Sense of Africa), Philadelphia Hukura (Akilanga DMC & Events), and Conny Louw (Absolut Tours & Safaris) were recognised for their contributions to Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Marianne Friede (African Profile Safaris), Nicole Boye (African Bush Bird Tours), Celine Garcia (Ekipa Travel), Gabi Erni (Gabi's Travel Desk), and Hanneke Dempsey (African Wanderer Tours & Safaris) received awards for their performance on the Namibia2Go platform. Anya Vorster from Namibia Tracks & Trails received special recognition for achieving a significant milestone - booking the 10,000th Go2 client on the platform.
Celebrating Strong Partnerships and Looking Ahead
The "Simply the Best" Operator Evening wasn't just about celebrating past achievements. Jaco Visser, Gondwana Collection Namibia's Financial Director, took the opportunity to introduce the crowd to exciting new developments and upcoming projects. He thanked the tour operators and consultants for their consistent support, highlighting the importance of their partnerships in Gondwana's success.
Guests celebrating at award event
Undivided Band Sets the Mood
Gondwana's very own Undivided Band kept the celebratory atmosphere alive throughout the evening. Guests were treated to medleys of classic hits, including "Fire" by The Pointer Sisters, "Miles Away" by Marc Cohn, and the timeless "Rock Around The Clock" by Elvis Presley. To truly embody the event's spirit, the Undivided Band capped off the night with a rousing rendition of Tina Turner's iconic "Simply the Best."
The "Simply the Best" Operator Evening served as a testament to the strong and mutually beneficial partnerships that Gondwana Collection Namibia has fostered with its network of tour operators and consultants. The event highlighted the collective effort to promote Namibia as a premier tourist destination and deliver unforgettable experiences to travellers.
Author: Anthea Cloete
Photos: Gondwana Collection Namibia