I think Martin’s point, however, is do these tourist have the opportunity to experience all we have to offer, or are they “canned tourists” that only gets to the see what is beneficial to the corporates. If so, it surely robs them of the full flavour of South Africa.

I really wish all chefs knew how to cook. It would certainly be beneficial to my payroll. Creating great food, just like creating a great guesthouse, great art, great writing or great anything for that matter, takes a combination of many things. Knowledge,experience,dedication,talent and passion are the biggies and believe me, not everyone that calls themselves chefs have got that recipe right!

All chefs and cooks surely knows how to take frozen ingredients out of the freezer and present it in palatable way. It is the way of the franchise. It may also be an indication that we as South Africans have bought into their advertising campaigns and now consider this to be great food.

If you get the opportunity to find a place that has harvested the veggies within hours of serving, whose fish is never frozen and has a chef that has the right recipe, then you are in for a truly memorable meal.

excellent article and yes - you are kicking already open doors on my end……….

People with character….oh yes, that would be great if that species would grow in numbers……

I would highly appreciate if there were more tour operators, not to mention travel agents, who not only pay attention to margings but also to the products they are selling. Putting more emphasis on to ethics and morals within the hospitality industry particularly in view to animal welfare, edo-friendlyness of camps and lodges etc etc.
More should really know the products which they are selling.

You call it “characters” - I call it responsibility.

I feel myself being not just responsible for creating a great safari or city break. I am feeling also obliged to make clients aware of e.g. the price a lion pays for being hand raised as cub getting a human imprint in order to become a lion “companion” when forced to play with humans or walk with them.
Stressing the danger which lies in visiting “game farms” which breed big cats.
Just 2 hints…….

And YES - we are very privileged to “walk the red carpet” at these prestigious travel exhibitions without the burden to write autographs. We can even go to the bakery without being “shot” and published.

Yes, I consider myself very privileged being able to work in a field which I love tremendously.

Thank you Martin - for remembering me…….