About Us - and why we want a searchable database of Tourist Guides in South Africa

The idea was developed by a tour operator based in Johannesburg not being able to find a guide at the last minute – we all know that feeling - and then having to use a less qualified guide for the tour. Needless to say the inbound tourist did not benefit from the guides' experience and knowledge as they should have. The opportunity to have repeat business or word of mouth referrals were limited.

When networking with tour operators nationally, it appeared that this was a common problem amongst tour operators and a solution was needed. Tour operators were hesitant to “share” their good Tourist Guide information with other operators in the fear of losing them to a better paying tour operator, even if they did not have work readily available for the guide. Naturally the only person who lost out on exposure, opportunity and a pay-cheque was the Tourist Guide.

So we put our minds to work, had a look what was currently available to both the operator and the guide on the internet and put all the best practices together – and voila "www.tourist-guide.co.za" was born!

So who is the team at www.tourist-guide.co.za?

A Tour Operator (Touch Africa Safaris) with 18 years operating experience of inbound and local travel in South Africa and neighbouring states. Fully customised tours on a regional, provincial and national basis, with experience in a multitude of aspects from fauna, flora, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural and historical tours etc. A diverse exposure to different cultures and languages and most importantly the different requirements on inbound tourists.

A Recruitment Specialist (Grania van 't Hof nee Gogarty) with 16 years experience across a vast array of career types. Dealing in both temporary and permanent recruitment opportunities as well as head hunting / search. Went into recruitment marketing – designing recruitment databases, websites, advertising in local and national periodicals, CV compilation etc.

A National Guide (Diederik van 't Hof - GP1793, also FGASA Registered as a Level 3 Trails Guide) of 22 years experience with a wealth of knowledge about what the operators expect from a Tourist Guide as well as the frustrations borne by the Tourist Guides.  Diederik has done walking safaris in Botswana and South Africa, been a game ranger in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve with the then Natal Parks Board also doing boat safaris on the St. Lucia Estuary, as well as walks on the Eastern Shores, been an overland coach guide for 16 years, and is still active in the guiding world. The ability to think on his feet and see opportunities to enhance the clients' tour by bringing in new exposures of restaurants, venues, routes etc.  and wealth of knowledge on places to eat, sleep and who to contact when the tour goes pear shaped!

An IT Nerd (MantisWeb) with vast exposure in web-design. Up to date with the latest technology – but sensitive to the internet abilities of users as well as being able to match their needs. Has a great sense of humour too!

So how do you contact us?

General - "www.tourist-guide.co.za" welcomes your feedback about this website, whether positive or negative, or about any Tourist Guide or marketing initiative as a method to improve our site.