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.
Nikita emphasizes the need for hands-on mentorship in the culinary field and the significance of personal connections in the travel industry, particularly in enhancing guest experiences through food.
Connect with Nikita:
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 emphasises the importance of human connection and emotional intelligence, particularly in the service industry.
She discusses how understanding our triggers and respecting ourselves can lead to personal growth and better interactions with others. The goal is to inspire change in at least one person's life through awareness and connection.
Connect here
ServiceGuru LinkedIn: Click here
ServiceGuru Website: Click here
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 aimed at improving task management for individuals and businesses.
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 being in nature can help individuals reconnect with their true selves and activate their potential. They discuss the unique experiences offered through these curated journeys and the power of community in fostering personal growth.
Prathna emphasises the importance of investing in yourself and is passionate about activating these inner discoveries through this emerging trend of intentional travel
If you would like to connect with Prathna on Instagram:
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 sea.
Discover how adaptability, professionalism, and a touch of humour can transform any situation, whether on a cruise ship or in the fast-paced world of travel. Tune in for an insightful conversation that bridges the gap between music and travel, offering valuable takeaways for anyone navigating the complexities of life.
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 The Drip Lodge, a mobile IV therapy service for travelers.
This conversation provides valuable lessons for both travel professionals and anyone dealing with high-pressure situations.
Man of Valor details
Email: manofvalor.official@gmail.com
Facebook: Click here
Instagram: Click here
TikTok: Click here
WhatsApp Channel: Click here
The Drip Lounge
Facebook: Click here
Instagran: Click here
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 experience with her own travel agent.
Patulla also debunks misconceptions about hotel operations, such as accommodating early check-ins.
Listen to this episode to learn more about the Hotel industry in Africa.
For more information about staying at Cresta Hotels
Website: www.crestahotels.com
Email: Enquiry@crestahotels.com
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 collaboration between travel businesses and media professionals. The conversation also touches on the significance of supporting local suppliers and the potential for innovation in the travel industry
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 maintaining a calm, clear mindset.
Whether you're navigating the intricacies of the travel industry or tackling everyday life hurdles, this conversation offers valuable strategies for finding effective solutions.
Tune in to discover how a thoughtful approach can transform overwhelming situations into opportunities for growth.
Contact Christo for legal assistance at:
attorneysinc1@gmail.com.
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 taking this seriously.
To connect with Melissa Foley directly, you can visit:
🌐 Website: https://www.allaboutafrica.biz/
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 unpacks the extensive safety protocols, the surprising health benefits (from lymph drainage to cellulite reduction), and how this innovation creates a more inclusive and globally consistent service for every type of traveller.
This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of tech in hospitality.
CONTACT TONI
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 details, supplier contacts, and team collaborations?
In this episode, we reveal the powerful, user-friendly tool that can streamline your operations and bring control back to your business: Notion.
Tune in to discover how you can leverage this fantastic software to create a central hub for your work, even if you’ve never used a tech tool like this before. It's time to get organised and focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable journeys.
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, self-care and personal well-being
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 Tamara are leveraging the human touch to unlock the full potential of leadership teams - whether that team is running a household or a conglomerate.
The tables have turned! This week only, Simone is the one being interviewed, because it's high time everyone in the audience gets to know the person behind the voice they've been tuning in for. From her well kept secret wine preferences (sweet red), to proof of why even travel agents should know what API's are, this behind the scenes look is as much about substance as it is about laughs.
This week on Bookings and Bottles, Simone chats to systems engineer Merveille van Eck, who drops a truth bomb that hits home for many in the industry:
“Most travel entrepreneurs don’t have tech problems — they have organisational ones.”
From the fear of losing the personal touch to why software success depends more on your internal structure than your developer, this episode is loaded with real talk and fresh insight.
Forget what you think you know about Central Asia. This week, Simone sits down with Shakh S, an on-the-ground travel expert and Director at Touromania, to unlock the secrets of one of travel's true hidden gems: Uzbekistan.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
The truth about Uzbekistan's surprising safety, modern hotels, and high-speed trains that defy common misconceptions.
A unique government subsidy designed to make travel more affordable for South African clients.
Why now is the best time to sell this authentic, less-touristed destination on the modern Silk Road.
This conversation is your blueprint for adding the "road less travelled" to your portfolio.
In the fast-paced travel industry, it's easy to focus so much on the client's journey that you neglect your own.
In this episode, we sit down with wellness and productivity expert Jared Shippel to tackle the silent career-killer: burnout.
Jared provides actionable strategies specifically for travel professionals to manage stress, reclaim their time, and build the mental resilience needed to thrive. This isn't just about wellness; it's about building a more sustainable and profitable business.
Is your business ready for the AI revolution, or does it all feel like confusing tech jargon?
In our first episode of Bookings & Bottles, Simone sits down with CEO and founder Andrew Parrington for a candid conversation that cuts through the hype. We are one of the first to talk with him about his new project, Agent Kaizen, a localised AI agent built to be your business's new best employee.
This conversation is more than just a look at new technology; it's a strategic guide to modernising your business, overcoming common hurdles, and building a smarter, more resilient operation.
Pour a glass and tune in for tangible tips that could reshape the way you work.