Transfer service companies often offer a lot more than just an A to B service. Tourism Update rounds up some of the specialist services available in South Africa.
- VIP services for international dignitaries
High-profile clients, such as international dignitaries, need extra protection when travelling to a foreign country. South Africa, as the economic powerhouse of Africa, often hosts international dignitaries for various conferences and meetings – especially in Gauteng, where many businesses and government departments are located.
Transfer services such as Platinum Escape Tours and Bodyguards Chauffeur Drive, offer personal protection services for high-profile clients, making sure they are safe during their trip. Owner of Platinum Escape Tours and Bodyguards Chauffeur Drive, Jaco Terblanche, says: “Many touring companies and travel agencies have VIP protection requests. I am a qualified bodyguard, chef, driver and PSiRA-registered (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority), providing protection for tourists and corporate companies.”
Global BodyGuard Solutions offers VIP services for dignitaries with professional security drivers who are all certified collision-avoidance specialists. All the company’s protection officers have undergone advanced driving and anti-hijack courses. The drivers have an intimate knowledge of the road networks within South Africa’s cities and know which areas to avoid at certain times.
eAfrica Tours also offers special VIP protection services. Says the company’s Nathan Ward: “I remember our company doing services for the Governor of Florida, USA, her family and entourage and technical/operations team. There was quite a bit of hype surrounding these four days of transport. A specially trained combat official was assigned to be at her side for all flights and travel. Dry runs and inspections of each site she would visit were required to be done together with her technical team. Coach drivers were required to provide all their details. For a VIP service of this nature, it required all hands on deck. Only the receptionist is left behind in the office while the entire team is serving this VIP.”
For more information, see http://www.bodyguardservices.co.za/, http://www.eafricatours.co.za/ and http://www.platinumescape.com/.
- Celebrity transfers
Celebrity protection involves the management of crowds or eager individuals wanting to get close to their star and, therefore, it is essential that close protection officers are trained and experienced in politely but effectively dominating these scenarios, according to Global BodyGuard Solutions. Transporting of celebrities is a critical component of celebrity protection. Ensuring that appointment times are kept and that the transport of the celebrities runs smoothly and is as hassle-free as possible is very important.
For more information, see http://www.bodyguardservices.co.za/.
- Transfers for people with disabilities
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More and more tourism establishments are adjusting their facilities for people with disabilities. An important aspect to facilitate this kind of travel is finding the appropriate transfer services.
Bidvest Car Rental and Chauffeur Drive has a comprehensive service catering for people with disabilities. Shawn Moonsamy, Branch Manager for Bidvest Car Rental, says one of the challenges faced with disabled passengers is that some are fragile and need very special attention while travelling. “In order to understand the requirements and necessities of each passenger, we have sent our chauffeurs on special training and advanced driving courses. This has also equipped and enabled the chauffeur to offer a much higher standard of service,” he says.
Pam Taylor, owner of Flamingo Tours and Disabled Ventures, also offers tours and transfers for people with disabilities. She says she decided to offer services for people with disabilities because of her background as a nursing sister and tourist guide.
For more information, see http://www.flamingotours.co.za/ and https://www.bidvestcarrental.co.za/.
- Transfer services for big families
With multigenerational travel on the rise globally, transfer companies are often faced with big families and the need to accommodate grandparents, aunts, parents, children as well as the rest of the extended family.
“Transfer services for a big family, for example, require a lot of patience, since often when arriving at the airport they have not finalised their currency exchange in rands, and perhaps the eldest daughter, who is an avid photographer, requires a new lens for her camera,” says Nathan Ward, from eAfrica Tours. According to Ward, it is important that drivers know they need to build in extra hours to be flexible enough to accommodate these detours and to make the family feel welcomed.
For more information, see http://www.eafricatours.co.za/.
- Transfer services for sports teams
Flexibility is one of the vital aspects of transporting a sports team and chauffeurs need to adapt to necessary changes as they occur. Transfer services catering for sports teams will also need to take into consideration the equipment that sports need, as well as the importance of confidentiality and discretion.
“Each year we have the privilege of providing services to the Belgian national hockey teams,” says Nathan Ward. He says it requires the team of drivers to be operationally pro-active at all times as the teams arrive at different times and on different days. He says, as well as the equipment of the sports team requiring added attention, it is also important to provide several standby vehicles at the hotel to accommodate the team. “Some guys need to go to the gym in the morning, others to the training pitch and others for a run on the beach. Later in the evening they play matches and so forth.”
iKapa Coaches also offers transfer services for sports teams. With free trailers on request to carry sports equipment, the team can rest assured their valuable equipment arrives with them at their destination.
For more information, visit http://www.eafricatours.co.za/ and http://www.ikapacoaches.co.za/.
- Transfer services for schoolchildren
School groups require specialist transfer services from professional providers.
“Schoolchildren are a big responsibility and the biggest challenge is to transport them with reliable drivers who have a lot of patience. If the driver is irritated with the children, neither the children nor the teachers will enjoy the trip,” says Joey Labuschagne, JSL Transport, adding that it is of the utmost importance to employ drivers with the right personality.
(http://www.jsltransport.co.za/)
- Wedding transfer services
South African wedding transport companies offer a wide selection of bridal vehicle options – from vintage cars, more traditional transport and fairytale horse and carriages, to sleek contemporary sports models.
Wine Valley Horse Trails is a wedding carriage company that provides horse-drawn carriages for the bride and groom anywhere in the Western Cape. Every horse is carefully trained and the carriages are authentic vintage models. (http://www.horsetrails-sa.co.za/the-carriage-co)
Status Luxury Vehicles, which is based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, has a fleet that includes everything from exotic models, luxury limousines, sports cars and convertibles, to supercars, hardtops, SUVs, 4x4s and passenger carriers. (http://slv.co.za/)
Couples wanting to get to the chapel in a chauffeured stretch old-time Cadillac, can turn to Classic Tours in the Western Cape. (http://classictours.co.za/)
