Travel Trade

New Frontiers Tours is a wholesale tour operator, compiling itineraries for the foreign tour operator, making bookings with Service Providers (hotels, lodges, transfers agents and other services used by travellers), and responding to any queries from travellers while they are in Southern Africa. 

We have worked closely in the past with Brett Thomson, having been introduced and subsequently supporting, the many lodges he represented in his capacity as Managing Director of Sun Destinations. 

We have found Brett to have a very thorough understanding of the local and regional tourism industry and have always relied on and been grateful for his honest and intuitive approach in marketing his products. 

The many years spent at various trade shows and on marketing trips has also given him a wide understanding of the international markets that support business to Southern Africa as well as those relationships he has forged with many of our overseas tour operators. 

We look forward to working with him and his portfolio of new product in his capacity as Stars of Africa.

New Frontiers

Rhino Africa has always counted itself lucky to work with some of the best in the industry. Brett is no exception. As representation for a group of lodges, Brett has been fundamental in introducing carefully curated relevant product to our team. His attention to detail, after sales professional support and innate understanding of markets, sales and client service is what catapulted his portfolio to preferred status at Rhino Africa. We will always be thankful to Brett and his amazing team for their stellar service & support. 

Rhino Africa

It gives me great pleasure to be able to give a reference for Brett Thomson and the launch of his new venture - Stars of Africa. 

As an independent tour broker, my company and I have been fortunate enough to gain valuable industry insights from Brett. It’s not all just about having a product and telling us about it. It’s about having the drive to show the industry what is out there and where you can find those unique accommodations, experiences and all things ”African”.

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed working together to find packages that clients really want to be part of. Whether it be local here in South Africa or across the borders in Botswana or Uganda, Brett’s knowledge of current travel trends shines through. Brett has always been more than approachable for rates, connections, advice, and what-if questions. Picking up emails, answering the calls at odd hours - all with an effort and ease that makes you feel working with this person is just the perfect fit. Nothing seems like any bother and ideas bounce off each company (person) with ease.

At Uyaphi, we were introduced to so many unique places through Brett and over the years, it’s his service driven attitude that has us excited for t he launch of his new company. We know he is going to find some amazing places for us to start offering to our clients, products that showcase not only what we have on offer in Southern Africa but have our clients wanting to explore more. 

If Brett’s track record is anything to go by, then Stars Africa will be much more than just “focused marketing for African Experiences” we can’t want for the journey to unfold! Should you require any further details or information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Verity Bester

Uyaphi Safaris

Brett Thomson from Sun Safaris started his marketing business just after we opened our lodge - Umkumbe Safari Lodge.

 
He and his company are every Lodge owners dream to work with. He is very professional and one of the best Marketing agents we could ask for and he keeps up with the markets changing.

Best for last, he kept our lodge at a 98%-99% occupancy pre covid for the last 4 years. Well done Brett and team!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

I met Brett when he managed Sun Destinations as a Managing Director at the Indaba Travel Show. We built a very strong business relationship and he helped grow our company as far as marketing is concerned. His knowledge and experience in marketing and exposure to international markets in the travel industry is amazing. Brett has a great sense of humour and is always willing to help and work with other people with respect. We recommend him on his endeavours with Stars of Africa and we look forward to working and supporting him.

Xaxaba Camp and Afrika Ecco Mobile Safaris

SKL Group of Camps, is family tour operating business in Botswana and a supplier of accommodation for the past 11 years. It is a blessing to have met and being in association Brett Thomson. From our first encounter with him in one of the World Trades shows in South Africa. 

I would say without doubt he is an exceptional business-oriented person and a person of great character. Upon his association with the company, within a month he had ensured that our new logos were up and loaded, and the website was synced very well. Making it easy for us to compete with ease in the tourism industry. 

He demonstrated his marketing strategies clearly and put in the work and it is visible through the bed nights he brought forth to our properties and the Travel shows he consistently attended. He operates with integrity and he is hard working. I have had the chance to also know him on a personal level and I am impressed with his humility and the way he treats everyone with respect. 

I can confidently recommend him on his endeavours with Stars of Africa and we look forward to working and supporting him.  

SKL Camps

I have had the privilege to work with Brett since the start of his company Stars of Africa. Hermanus Boutique Guest House was one of his first clients. Brett is very involved in assisting with our marketing.

Over the past 2 years that I have been working with him, he has shown extremely good knowledge in marketing and the hospitality industry. Brett is always looking at new ways to improve the product and services we offer to our guests, always going the extra mile and putting in more than what is expected. 

I have a lot of respect for Brett. He is hardworking and loyal and extremely driven. It is such a great privilege to work with him, he has got such a passion for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I am looking forward building a great working relationship with Brett in the years to come. 

Hermanus Boutique Guest House

I've always admired Brett's ability to put ideas into a concrete plan and go full steam ahead with whatever he does. He doesn't sit around! His experience in the tourism industry combined with his incredible eye for branding and marketing has always inspired me. Brett knows and understands the trends in both online and on-the-ground tourism, and is often ahead of his game. I'm often left thinking, "why didn't I know this?", or "why didn't I think of this?". He is easy to work with, listens to new ideas, and prefers a good product over ego. If he has to jump and do the dirty work, he will. 

Connect with Caro on Instagram

Brett's ability to build relationships with clients, colleagues, and employees comes naturally. He puts his authentic self at the forefront of his business relations, creating a foundation of trust and genuine connection, and this is his greatest asset. His eye for detail, aesthetics, quality, and individuality bring a level of luxury to the client's brand, without losing sight of what makes it unique. Brett gives clear direction and sound advice, which he draws from a well of knowledge and experience in the luxury travel industry. He nurtures strengths, tackles challenges, and leads with integrity.

Connect with Chloe on Instagram

Brett was always keen to move in the digital marketing arena, identifying media trends before others, and wanting to be ahead of the game. He created the space for photography, video and audiovisual technology early on and urged me to dedicate my professional time to capturing the magic of an African travel experience on film and developing something that truly communicated a message to the public. It definitely elevated the brands we worked with.

Connect with Kevin on Instagram

Having worked with Brett over the past few years, we have found his turn key hospitality services incredibly professional. He is extremely hands on, always available, and has provided excellent insight into the world of Travel and Tourism. The thing that sets him apart for me, is his keen understanding of a brand’s needs in the current sales, marketing and PR landscape, and the ability to translate this into solution based services, on time, within budget and achieving a visible return on investment.

Nicky Arthur is a woman of integrity, who is honest, truthful and unfailingly kind. She has a humble attitude.  During the years I have worked with Nicky, I have found her to be an enthusiastic, warm person with a delightful sense of humour. When She hosts media trips, she ensures that the marketing objectives are met, that guests know the selling points of the property and that good memories are made. All trips have been well organised before, during and after the media event.  Nicky is somewhat of a perfectionist and likes work to be done effectively, timeously and accurately. I have no hesitation in recommending her highly for PR, marketing and selling work.

I have worked with Nicky personally, over the past 10 years. As editor of Getaway magazine and Getaway International magazine, and formerly as a freelance journalist, I have had plenty of interaction with her in the areas of PR, marketing, sales, travel journalism and promotions of various kinds. She has facilitated trips, site inspections, competitions and the like throughout Europe and Africa. Her network is vast and she is able to promote property angles and ideas in an utterly compelling manner. There is no doubt she has a remarkable talent for selling!​

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I have found Nicky to be highly motivated, professional and driven. She is passionate and dedicated to all her clients. She is also organised and hardworking, always putting in the extra hours. There is no task too small or too big. Good follow ups and delivering material to agents and media timeously ensure a positive result. Nicky certainly gets things done! ​

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She has worked with a wide range of clients over the years and has proved to be an ideal go-between in the industry, as well as ensuring clients get the best bang for the buck. Throughout, Nicky has maintained good relationships within the travel and tourism sector, keeping her finger on the pulse. Her vivacious character plays no small part in attracting business. 

We thoroughly enjoy working with Nicky Arthur PR. Having worked with other PR agencies in the past, we find that Nicky Arthur PR has a level of enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication that is hard to find. They also take the time to truly understand our needs and provide a tailored PR service that works for us. Nicky Arthur PR is always flexible, available and ready for any PR challenge we throw at them. If you want to get your story to the right people, then Nicky Arthur PR is your best option.

Having worked with Nicky and her team over the past few months we have found their services incredibly professional and we would have no hesitation in recommending them. They are extremely hands on, always available, and have provided excellent insight into the world of PR. The thing that sets them apart for us, is their keen understanding of our brand’s needs and the ability to translate our story into the engaging media articles achieved.

I would highly recommend Nicky Arthur for the position of sales and public relations. In my capacity as travel editor and contributing writer for Upscale Living magazine, I have had the pleasure of working with Nicky and her team on many occasions and in my opinion, they go the extra mile for their clients. ​Nicky has a refined concept of the importance of client liaison, journalistic organization, customer satisfaction and ethics that encompass the best outcome for her clients.  ​Her enviable list of clients include high-end properties and Nicky’s media experiences are always met with great enthusiasm as they are seamless, from invitation phase to the trip itself, included activities as well as post-trip follow-ups. ​