Tourvest Destination Management (TDM) has opened a South African division that integrates its multiple brands in the country – including Drifters, Pure-Travel, SA Rugby Travel and Sense of Africa, South Africa – under one operational umbrella.
With extensive leadership experience in the financial services and mining sectors, Bridget Duker has taken the reins as TDM South Africa’s first COO.
Tourism Update met with Duker to explore her aspirations for the company and views on the private sector’s role in shaping the country’s tourism future.
What drew you to the tourism sector and what are some of your key initial learnings during your involvement with Tourvest?
Having personally travelled widely, I’ve seen firsthand how tourism uplifts communities, generates jobs and creates opportunities beyond leisure – it’s an engine for economic inclusion.
Joining Tourvest is about bringing an alternative perspective to the sector: using financial discipline and strategic thinking to strengthen an already dynamic industry while learning from colleagues who have deep-rooted tourism expertise.
I’ve quickly realised that tourism is far more complex than moving people from A to B. It’s about experiences, storytelling, partnerships and the people behind the itineraries.
Mentorship from colleagues with decades in the sector has been invaluable. They’ve guided me on the nuances of inbound travel, group tours and event-driven segments like rugby travel. One key learning is that the industry must constantly adapt – whether to global events, economic shifts or changing traveller preferences.
What was the inspiration behind establishing the South African branch of TDM and what is the overarching purpose of the business?
South Africa is one of the world’s most diverse and attractive destinations. But to fully capture its potential, there’s a need for coordinated, world-class destination management that connects local expertise with global demand.
The inspiration for TDM South Africa is to create a hub that integrates Drifters, Pure Travel, SA Rugby Travel and Sense of Africa under one strong operational umbrella.
The purpose is twofold: firstly, to deliver exceptional experiences to international and domestic travellers; secondly, to unlock greater efficiency and scalability by pooling resources, insights and innovations across these brands.
What are your aims for the job and what growth do you envision for TDM South Africa?
My aim is to build on Tourvest’s strong foundation by driving operational excellence, financial sustainability and innovation.
For growth, I see several opportunities leveraging AI to bring about efficiencies and stay ahead of the curve:
- Using technology and data analytics to better understand traveller behaviour and personalise experiences
- Dynamic itinerary planning that instantly matches traveller preferences with our inventory
- Personalised marketing so that travellers see the right product at the right time
By starting small, we can learn quickly, scale up what works and make our brands more competitive without heavy upfront investment.
I also see the expansion of TDM’s footprint into other markets as an opportunity to be leveraged to enhance inbound travel and sports travel.
On the inbound side, travellers increasingly want multi-country itineraries: South Africa combined with Botswana, Namibia or Zambia and East Africa, for example. Expanding our reach ensures seamless, cross-border experiences.
Which parts of South Africa do you love as tourist destinations and is there a need for more focus on hidden gems?
I’m captivated by the diversity of South Africa and have an affinity for all its offering with no favourites – the natural beauty of Cape Town, the wildlife of the Lowveld, the serenity of the Drakensberg and the cultural richness of our small towns.
While icons like Kruger and Table Mountain remain anchors, there absolutely needs to be more focus on hidden gems – whether it’s lesser-known reserves, cultural festivals or off-the-beaten-path adventures.
These hidden gems spread tourism benefits more widely, create memorable experiences and give travellers a reason to return. At TDM, part of our role is to shine a light on these stories and ensure they’re accessible and celebrated globally.
