Bookings and Bottles

Are you tired of pouring money into social media posts, generic itineraries, and complex marketing campaigns that yield absolutely zero return on investment? It's time for a professional checkup. In this episode of Bookings in Bottles, host Simone Snedorf sits down with Amanda Louw-Bester, an international digital transformation expert and the founder of Pragmatica Consulting. Amanda breaks do...

In this episode, Singita Chauke, founder of The Business Uncle, uncovers the gap between strategy and execution in travel businesses. Learn how to create actionable plans that align with your resources and goals. Discover practical strategies to transform your ambitions into results and accelerate your growth. Perfect for travel professionals ready to turn plans into practice. Connect with Singita...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles , Simone Snedorf, Host an founder of ontōlogic , dives deep into the ultimate Cape Town "sea-fari" with Natalie van Eeden from Apex Shark Expeditions . Celebrating 30 years of marine conservation, Natalie shatters myths surrounding shark encounters and paints a vivid picture of what it’s really like to come eye-to-eye with the beautifully inquisitive Bronze...

Join us for an incredible conversation where you will meet Keith Lindsay , the MD and owner of The Waterfront Duck Co . Discover the thrill of the splashdown with Africa’s first amphibious tour, an award-winning experience that seamlessly blends a guided road tour with a harbour cruise. From the specialised "Quacktons" navigating land and sea to the massive achievement of receiving the Bronze Awar...

Most people believe that ethical failure is a sudden "cliff" you jump off, a single, dramatic moment of corruption or a massive scandal. But for Sidley Du Preez , ethical failure is far more subtle: it is a slow, quiet drift. In this episode of Bookings and Bottles , Simone Snedorf sits down with Sidley, an ethical leadership practitioner and founder of the Quiet Courage Leadership Initi...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf speaks with Hex Novoa, founder of Zandeo, about the importance of family financial education and experiential learning. They discuss how allowing children to make mistakes can foster financial literacy, the role of AI in simplifying financial conversations, and the significance of local travel and mini-adventures. Hex shares insights fro...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf engages with Roxanne Botman, a career and confidence design thinking coach. They explore various themes including the challenges faced by creatives in the music industry, the essence of being South African through the lens of Ubuntu, and the importance of design thinking as a problem-solving tool. Roxanne shares her insights on empowerin...

Most travel entrepreneurs overlook the secret to sustainable growth: community-led systems. Candice Grobler, a community builder and tech innovator, shares how South Africa’s unique cultural values, like Ubuntu, inspire smarter, more authentic ways to grow your business. Discover why collaborating with competitors, automating without losing the personal touch, and building genuine business friends...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf and guest Najiba Adams explore the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-care in the travel and hospitality industry. They discuss practical tools for mindfulness, the art of communication, and the significance of personal growth. The conversation emphasises the need for professionals to focus on their emotional well-be...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf interviews Larry Soffer, an award-winning mentalist. They discuss the importance of persistence in the entertainment and travel industry, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. ` Larry shares insights on staying present during performances, creating memorable experiences for audiences, and the significance of fee...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf speaks with Nikita Zoulis, an executive chef turned business strategist, about his journey from a food truck to founding the Blue Beetroot Consultancy. They discuss the importance of consistency in culinary experiences, the challenges of maintaining calm in high-pressure environments, and the value of investing in back of house training....

In this conversation, Adele shares profound insights gained from observing children. She emphasises the importance of staying open-minded, embracing curiosity, and finding joy in simple moments. Adele highlights how children are fearless in taking risks and learning from their mistakes, reminding adults to appreciate the present and the little things in life.

Today, we've got a truly inspiring guest with us, whose career journey is a powerful testament to resilience, growth, and dedicated service. We're joined by Najeeba Adams, a Senior Training Facilitator for ServiceGurus, an incredible all-women company focused on bespoke, transformational training across hospitality, retail, and corporate sectors. In this conversation, Najeeba Adams emphasi...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf shares insights about the podcast's purpose, her journey in the travel industry, and highlights from her top three episodes. She discusses the importance of systems thinking, sustainability in business, and the personal touch in guest experiences, also taking a breather when emotions rise. While also introducing her new services aime...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf speaks with Prathna Singh - an In Her Nature Activator, about the profound connection between travel, nature and personal transformation. Prathna designs bespoke, transformative journeys, not just from A to B, but inward. She helps clients find their "true north" using nature-inspired wisdom. She shares her philosophy on how be...

Welcome to "Bookings and Bottles," where we pour a little wine and a lot of wisdom into the travel industry. In this episode, host Simone Snedorf sets sail with Eaton Clapper, a world-travelling pianist who has performed on some of the greatest cruise ships. Join us as Eaton shares his unique experiences, from handling unexpected challenges on stage to the lessons learned from life at se...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, paramedic Jody Miles shares his insights on crisis management, emotional intelligence, and mental health. He discusses the importance of assessing situations quickly, de-escalating high-stress interactions, and preventing burnout in demanding jobs. Jody also highlights his initiative, Man of Valor, which focuses on men's mental health, and introduces Th...

In this episode of Bookings & Bottles , host Simone Snedorf speaks with Patulla Davidson, the Group International Sales and Marketing Manager at Cresta Hotels. Patulla shares valuable insights for travel agents, addressing common mistakes like quoting STO rates without checking availability. She highlights the importance of being responsive and proactive with clients, referencing a personal ex...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles, host Simone Snedorf interviews travel journalist Kiran Molloy, who shares insights on innovative tourism initiatives in South Africa, emerging travel demographics, the importance of wellness in travel, and how travel businesses can attract media attention. Kiran emphasises the role of journalists in highlighting lesser-known voices and the need for collabor...

In this episode of Bookings and Bottles , host Simone Snedorf sits down with Christo Du Plessis, a seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur, to explore the art of breaking down complex problems into manageable components. Christo shares insights from his legal training and personal experiences, emphasising the importance of stepping back to see the bigger picture, reverse engineering challenges, and maint...

It's live! 🥂 Time to pour your glass and join the conversation. This is the episode that is a must-listen if you have been speaking about sustainability and compliance in the tourism sector in South Africa. We’re talking about lessons from others that could be costly for you, too. So, sit back and enjoy as the wonderful Melissa Foley tells you a hard truth you need to hear if you have not been ta...

Could a robot masseuse be the next big thing in travel wellness? In this episode, host Simone Snedorf sits down with Toni Hanekom, CEO and founder of Weltech, to explore the groundbreaking, AI-powered Robosculptor. Far from being a threat, this technology is designed to be a powerful partner to human therapists, with the potential to triple their income and enhance the guest experience. Toni unpac...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the admin of running your travel business? In the vibrant, fast-paced world of South African travel, organisation isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. Between juggling client itineraries, supplier networks, and dynamic bookings, finding a moment of clarity can feel impossible. But what if you could have one single, calm, and clear space for all your client d...

In this episode meet my life long friend Zandile Cele , where we have a casual conversation with some giggles. This is the best way to really allow people to give insights; sometimes, they don't even know if they have insights and have fun! In this episode, Zandile's answers give insight into problem-solving and flexibility in travel, personal foundations, kindness and most importantly, se...

What do a yogi, cafe owner, and cancer survivor have in common? In this episode, we speak with a dynamic trio making significant waves in one of the most crucial aspects of business: human capital. They have brought together their uniqueness and an unparalleled set of expertise, forming something that addresses a sorely lacking characteristic of good business in South Africa. Jared, Julian and Tam...