“Phenomenal and unheard of!”. These were the words of Gondwana Collection Namibia’s Managing Director Gys Joubert, after receiving awards from Studiosus Reisen for Gondwana’s top quality accommodation offerings.
Europe’s leading educational tour operator singled out no less than eight Gondwana lodges for excellence! Out of the 91 global quality awards that Studiosus handed out at the Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB) in Berlin on 6 March 2025, Namibian establishments received 16 prizes; half of them were awarded to Gondwana Collection's lodges.
Happy faces at the ITB in Berlin. Studiosus Reisen presented eight quality awards to Gondwana Collection Namibia (l.t.r): Matthias Sorke (Studiosus Area Manager), Gys Joubert (MD, Gondwana Collection), Anthea Cloete (Commercial, Sales and Synergy Manager, Gondwana Collection), Christine Taubitz (Contracting Manager, Studiosus) and Carola Penner (Product Manager, Studiosus). Photo: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Gys Joubert found warm words of thanks for the Gondwana family back home in Namibia: “According to Studiosus, it is unheard of that one company in one country could achieve almost 10% of the Studiosus prizes. It's something to be proud of and a reason to celebrate, and it's because of the consistent quality and the consistent passion of each and every Gondwana team member that we are able to achieve what we have.”
As part of their quality management Studiosus regularly conducts polls after their clients’ trips. In 2024, Etosha Safari Camp, Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn, Namib Desert Lodge, Damara Mopane Lodge, Canyon Village, Namushasha River Lodge, Okapuka Safari Lodge and Kalahari Anib Lodge received awards for total client satisfaction.
Studiosus plays a leading role in the European cultural tours segment. In 2024, the number of tour participants increased by 3 percent to over 74,000 (compared to 2023), an excellent result in view of the overall geopolitical situation. The recipe for success: Sustainable travel with tour guides who love their destination, bring it closer to their guests with enthusiasm and expertise, building bridges between cultures.
Values that go hand in hand with Gondwana Collection's corporate philosophy of sustainability, including nature conservation, social upliftment, cultural connectedness and service excellence.