Following the success of OurAfrica.Travel 2020, the organisers have announced that the virtual meeting platform will be back in March 2021 to offer the travel trade a safe and affordable Africa-focussed travel show. Pre-scheduled, one-on-one, face-to-face virtual meetings will take place over 10 days to bring Africa to global buyers, conveniently and practically during their working hours.

Spearheaded by industry experts Allie Hunt and Storm Napier, OurAfrica.Travel 2021 will be presented in partnership with ATTA (Africa Travel & Tourism Association) on the following dates: 1 – 5 March (Europe, Africa, Asia & Oceania) from 04h00 – 19h00 CAT, and 8 – 12 March (Americas) from between 10h00 – 23h00 CAT.

 Storm Napier says: ‘In 2020 we had no less than 321 exhibitors and 1199 buyers who connected virtually in just under 21 000 virtual meetings. The feedback has been phenomenal and by popular demand, we are delighted to bring the show back in 2021 and look forward to growing it even further.’

The 2020 event included some of South Africa’s most prominent travel brands such as, Escape & Explore, Wilderness Safaris, Triumph Travel, Singita and Red Carnation Hotels, all of whom have already confirmed their participation for 2021. Global buyers who participated in the 2020 event ranged from Private Safaris Switzerland, Swain Destinations and Swagman, to Virtuoso agents, FTI Touristik, Lusso and The Africa Adventure Company.

The show will take on the same format as the inaugural event of 2020, with the addition of a more extensive Indian Ocean section to include participants from Zanzibar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion, Comores and Maldives.

Exhibitors who offer accommodations, safaris or other special experiences all over Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, are invited to sign up to connect with African travel specialists from around the world.

Chris Mears from ATTA says that digital events are here to stay, providing some certainty in marketing endeavours, at least until the trade are able to once again meet in person. Alison Hunt added that the resilience of the travel trade industry is certainly being tested. ‘We did not think that we would need to arrange another OurAfrica.Travel virtual show but, here we are! We’d like to thank ATTA for their support and partnership within the event. We are ready to show the world that Africa is truly the most diverse and rewarding travel destination one can ever explore.’

The transformation of the iconic Glencairn Hotel has been completed with the opening of Barstaurant at Glencairn, a new family-friendly restaurant off the shore of False Bay between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town.

Barstaurant at Glencairn occupies the entire floor area of the landmark building, which dates back to 1904. It is the new family offering created by the Tintswalo group, in partnership with Tintswalo Atlantic’s seasoned general managers Ryno and Melissa du Rand, and restauranteur Clint Fennel, who is well-known in the industry after ten years managing Willoughby’s in the V&A Waterfront.

The beauty and character of the historical Glencairn Hotel has been meticulously preserved to showcase its unique and hidden features. Local contractors were used during the renovation process, which created 40 jobs. In line with the ethos of a family business, the interiors were designed by the owners themselves with the assistance of third generation decorator Camlyn Goosen to create a stylish, yet casual family restaurant and neighbourhood bar.

The restaurant seats 80 diners and offers various seating areas, including a welcoming lounge area with a fireplace, a sushi bar, and a light and bright covered terrace, as well as cosy dining in the Sports Bar area, which includes an alcove for more private dining. The outdoor dining areas are already popular with parents and their young children, overlooking lawns with jungle gyms and safe play areas, with sea views in the distance. Specially geared for children, Barstaurant at Glencairn includes a kids’ menu with an inter-active opportunity to make their own pizzas.

Barstaurant at Glencairn is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Specialities include an All-Day Breakfast, wood-fired pizzas and classic bistro staples such as Fish and Chips; Cheeseburgers or Steak cut-of-the-week and hand-cut chips; Tacos; Chicken Ceasar Salad, salads and vegetarian options. From Wednesdays to Sundays a sushi menu is available too, freshly made by the team of professional sushi chefs and overseen by sushi aficionado Clint himself. An extensive selection of drinks is available, including beers on tap and craft beers, and a wine list that features some popular options, as well as more unusual vintages and varietals. Live music is available on weekends and sports events are broadcast on big-screens in the bar area.

Tintswalo owners Warwick and Lisa Goosen say their years of passion for the tourism and hospitality industry have sparked a love for new and exciting projects. For Warwick this project was the opportunity to create something new from the old, and completing the circle with food and drinks, play and sport. ‘There is an energy in the Deep South of Cape Town like nowhere else in the world. I feel it and I love the location and being able to expand our offering as a group, reaching out to the local community and to families specifically, with our partners by our side,’ he says.

In support of its community, Barstaurant at Glencairn is forming a charity to support local initiatives close to its heart, ranging from firefighting to land and sea conservation projects using the hashtags #landshepherd, #fireshepherd and #saltshepherd.

The Barstaurant at Glencairn team is looking forward to becoming a household name to families in the area and beyond, not only as a favourite eatery for adults and children alike, but also as a destination to celebrate special occasions and make lasting memories with loved ones.