Lifelong dream of
travelling to Africa comes true
Issued by Issued on behalf of Random Hat Communications Stellenbosch
Experience
The Stellenbosch
American Express® Wine Routes has turned a lifelong dream into an
extraordinary reality for the winner of its Ultimate Bucket List Competition,
which was launched at ITB, the world’s largest tourism convention, in Berlin in
March. This ultimate holiday competition forms part of the wine route’s global
wine tourism campaign,Stellenbosch Experience, to showcase the
area’s diverse and unparalleled offerings to the world.
The fortunate winner
is adventure-obsessed Dutchman, Tim Loonen of Tripbod – a global travel network
which connects travellers with ‘local ambassadors’ aka knowledge sources from popular city destinations as well as far flung
destinations across the world for authentic holiday experiences. He was one of
more than 500 people, including top international travel trade, industry
representatives and media, who entered for this all expenses paid, trip of a
lifetime.
Entrants were invited
to select their ‘ultimate bucket list’ from an enticing itinerary of
experiences in and around Stellenbosch, ranging from harvesting with a winemaker,
spa pampering amidst the vineyards, exploring the local markets and dining with
a local celebrity chef, to game viewing in the Winelands and learning how to
drive a tractor. Tim has never set foot on the African continent before and is
thrilled to be experiencing a myriad of tastes, sights and delights from the
country’s wine and gourmet capital during this five-day adventure in the heart
of the Winelands.
His sensory engagements will include those with key Stellenbosch Experience partners such as the Adventure Shop,
Cellar Door Collection Passport, Dornier, Delheim Estate, Evergreen Manor,
Fleur du Cap, The House of JC Le Roux, Kleine Zalze, Majeka House, Middelvlei
Estate, Oldenburg Vineyards, Spier, Stellenbosch Vineyards, Tokara Restaurant,
Van Ryn’s Distillery & Brandy Cellar and Warwick Estate.
“I
have never won anything before in my life – apart from a pack of waffles when I
was six years old – and visiting South Africa has been on my bucket list for so long. As
Tripbod's former Head of Community and now Chief Operating Officer, I am
ashamed every time I have to admit that I have never actually set foot on
African soil. In my line of work, I have met many locals around the world and
it would be amazing to connect with the friendly folk of Stellenbosch and South
Africa as well,” shares Tim, a social media fanatic who will be making his way
to South Africa with his partner, courtesy of South African Airways (SAA).
“The success of our
year-long Stellenbosch Experience wine tourism marketing
campaign, which was initiated in conjunction with Stellenbosch 360 to
showcase the region’s authentic wine tourism offerings on a global scale,
hinges onjoint marketing partnerships. We are thrilled to have South African
Airlines on board as our airline partner, as it enables us to deliver
innovative marketing platforms, like the exciting Ultimate Bucket List
Competition, for the Stellenbosch region. Nothing sells a place like the place
itself and we are sure that Tim will be a passionate ambassador for
Stellenbosch after this trip,” says Annareth Bolton, CEO of the
Stellenbosch Wine Routes, who have made additional spot prizes for a few other
lucky entrants available as part of this generous competition.
SAA will also fly some
of the world's most influential travel, lifestyle and food bloggers to
Stellenbosch in May for the campaign’s #Stellenblog blogger
initiative, which will see top international and local bloggers flocking to
Stellenbosch and surrounding areas to uncover and digitally share the stories
and secrets of South-Africa’s oldest and foremost wine route with the world.
Aiming to affirm Stellenbosch
as a multifaceted and must-experience destination worth more than just a day
trip or a wine tasting, this week-long social media initiative will see
selected, high ranking bloggers immerse themselves as ‘digital
ambassadors’ in a bucket-list itinerary of attractions and activities and live
the ‘Stellenbosch Way of Life’ like a local in the know.
For more information
on the Stellenbosch Experience and #Stellenblog campaigns
visit StellenBlog at http://blog.wineroute.co.za/ or contact
Mariette du Toit-Helmbold at experience@wineroute.co.za or
phone 083 225 5955. You too can follow and be part of the digital journey by
using the hashtag #Stellenblog on Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram. Or follow winner Tim Loonen on Twitter (@Tloonen) for a
personal account of his ultimate “bucket-list” holiday in the Winelands.
