Work for yourself, not by yourself
eTravel Newsletter Aug 2026
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- eTravel Newsletter Aug 2026
The past few months have been tough. There is no point pretending otherwise. The conflict in the Middle East, rising fuel prices and the uncertainty that follows these events have slowed travel demand, and I know many of you are worried. For most of us, this business isn’t just what we do…it’s how we provide for our families. When bookings slow down, it’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s real life, real concerns, and real pressure.
1. As a group, our turnover declined by 4.2% from R1.71 billion to R1.64 billion.
2. There is, however, another side to the story and although turnover declined by 4.2%, gross commissions was only down by 0.6%
3. And that’s where you come in!
4. Over the last 27 years, I’ve learnt something about this industry.
5. Now we’re navigating another difficult chapter.
6. I honestly believe that’s where we are now. Do I think things will suddenly improve tomorrow morning? No, but I do believe we will start seeing gradual improvement as we move through September and into October, provided the world doesn’t throw us another curveball. We saw a very similar pattern last year when May was particularly slow before confidence slowly returned during August.
7. Relationships have always been the heartbeat of this industry, and they become even more important during uncertain times. Here at eTravel, we’re doing exactly the same. Our management team is spending time on the road visiting as many of you as possible because relationships matter. Technology can make us more efficient, but it will never replace sitting across the table from someone, listening to them and understanding what they’re going through.
8. Talking at technology…
I am also incredibly proud to have my son in the business and recently promoted to Operations Director. Watching Trent grow into this role has been rewarding, and his promotion represents another important step in ensuring that eTravel continues evolving while protecting the culture that has made us who we are. This is not merely a personal thing but in fact a stamp of my commitment to ensuring that eTravel remains a “family affair” with family values and a long-term vision that will always outtrump short term goals and short-term bonuses.
Finally, I want to say that I have never seen eTravel as just a business. From the day we started, it’s been my 3rd baby and I’ve always believed we were building something much bigger than that and much bigger than me. Many of you have been with us for years, some for decades and together we’ve celebrated success and disappointments. We have laughed together, argued occasionally, solved problems, supported one another, and watched each other’s families grow.
That’s not just a business relationship – we are Family and we are in this together through the good and the bad times. So, if you’re feeling discouraged at the moment, know that you’re not alone as we’re feeling the same market pressures you are, having the same conversations and working just as hard to position all of us for the opportunities that will come.
I’ve believed in this industry for more than three decades and more importantly I believe in every one of you.
Thank you for everything you do, for continuing to look after your clients with the professionalism and care that has become synonymous with eTravel, and for continuing to believe in what we have built and what we’re continuing to build together.
Now that I have been with eTravel for just over a year, I have had the opportunity to take a step back, gain a deeper understanding of our business, and identify where I can further strengthen our Operations team.
Over the past year, we have implemented several changes, all with the goal of creating a more streamlined, efficient, and responsive operation. While change can sometimes be challenging, it has enabled us to refine our processes, improve collaboration, and better position the team to support our ITCs and the business as a whole.
My vision is to build an Operations team that is proactive, collaborative, and solution driven, one that is empowered to respond to your requests more quickly, deliver a consistently high level of service, and continuously seek opportunities to improve. I believe Operations should be more than a support function, it should be a trusted business partner that adds value and helps our ITCs grow their businesses.
Our journey doesn’t stop here. As we continue the rollout of eTravelNav and embrace new technologies, we will keep evolving and refining the way we work. By combining innovation with exceptional service, my commitment is to ensure that Operations remains agile, efficient, forward-thinking, and dedicated to delivering the best possible support to our ITCs while contributing to the continued success of eTravel.
Garth’s dream has been more than just a safari destination, it has been to share his love for the bush and build a little piece of African heaven where visitors from around the world can disconnect from the ordinary, reconnect with nature, and leave with memories that would stay with them forever.
As we celebrate our third birthday, we reflect with gratitude on everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey—our incredible team, whose dedication brings Leopard’s Bend to life each day, our partners, and every guest who has trusted us with their special moments.
Thank you for believing in our dream, sharing in our passion, and helping us create not only lasting memories, but a lasting legacy for Africa’s wildlife.
Here’s to three wonderful years, and to many more years of extraordinary safaris, meaningful conservation, unforgettable celebrations, and memories that last a lifetime.
Here’s to our little piece of paradise, and to all the adventures still to come. 🥂🦁💚
Four cheetah cubs are the highlight of recent safaris, with the little guys growing every day and keeping mom on her toes with their playful antics and mischief.
A strong, beautiful 3-year-old lion will be introduced into the reserve by the end of August and is going to make heads turn.
A new male cheetah has arrived from Shamwari Game Reserve and will be released within the next 2 weeks.
Follow our adventures on Instagram: leopardsbend
We have extended the above promotional offer for 2027.
Book now to avoid disappointment.
So, a bit about myself:
I am the youngest of 10 siblings.
I am an adventurous person.
I love animals but dogs are my favourite (I am a mom of 2 dogs, a rottweiler and a yorkie + maltese mix).
I am at first an introvert but as soon as I get comfortable, my extrovert personality tries to shine through.
I am a lover of horror movies, although I like to enjoy a comedy once in a while.
In the photo from left to right is Nooriena Davids (MK), Lara Saunders (eTravel) and Melissa McKay (MK)
