About

Learn more about me, and why - even after visiting every year for the past 20 years - South Africa still draws me back.

AN INTERVIEW WITH HELEN PALMER

How did you get started in your business?

Awhile back, someone asked what I was interested in and I immediately thought of Cape Town and visiting my parent’s house in South Africa.

I was exploring ways to work on the Internet at the time and I decided to do a website called Magical Cape Town Vacations. It was a good choice for me. My love for Cape Town shone through everything I did on the site.

About this time, Barbara Raath, the managing director of Specialised African Tour Services, was looking for a way to spread her outstanding insights into South African travel to the UK. She came across my website and invited me to work with her.

Now, with Tailor-Made South Africa Travel I use my passion for South Africa to help people build a trip that’s right for them - a trip that comes from who they are and what they desire for themselves.

What fascinates you about your work?

For the past 20 years I’ve lived part of each year in South Africa and it’s amazing how the place still draws me back.

When travelling, I think it’s easy to say, “Oh, this place is wonderful. I want to move here.” But when you know a place, you see the reality of it and some of that fades.

I’m fortunate because I can see South Africa as a visitor, the way my clients do, and as a native - as someone who knows the country very well. It shows how rich the place really is. You can see the magic and the reality of South Africa and love it all. That’s how layered South Africa is.

What’s your approach to working with clients?

It’s all about them. I’m a conduit. Using my knowledge and passion for South Africa along with my strong local network, clients access the real South Africa and go on amazing vacations.

With Tailor-Made they enjoy the personal attention it takes to travel well on your own, and through my connections they also have all the buying power and influence of the largest travel companies. I do whatever I can to make sure my clients have the time of their lives.

Because I know so much about travelling in South Africa, I can tell them the truth - good or bad - and help them decide what’s right for them. If I’m honest with people and give them good advice they’ll feel confident about their travels to South Africa.

That’s important to me. Of course it’s good for business, but it also helps South Africa. Tourism strengthens the economy where it is needed and by doing my very best for independent travellers who wish to experience South Africa on their own terms, I also do my best for South Africa. For instance, I make financial and other contributions to organizations and individuals in need through Greater Good SA.

How does your background influence your work?

I was born and brought up in my family’s hotel in St. Ives along the Atlantic coast in Southern England. My mother is very particular about how things are done and quality was always important. Even before the era of boutique hotels ours could easily have been developed into one.

When you’re born into this environment and you constantly see people on holiday - and observe their wishes and desires - it becomes a part of you. That’s a big influence on the care and understanding I have as a travel broker.

Another aspect is cooking. One of my distant grandmothers cooked for the then Duke of York and it’s said he would eat nothing unless she cooked it. Anyway, fine cooking runs in my family. I have a degree from Cordon Bleu Cookery and have had the honor of cooking twice for the Queen. This level of service comes into play when I consider recommending options for my clients.

Of course South Africa itself - and travelling around the country - has become part of me. My parents live in South Africa, my husband and I now have property there, and every year for the past 20 years I’ve travelled, explored, and soaked in all that is South Africa.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It’s amazing how much South Africa has influenced my life. In fact, my husband and I are moving to Barcelona to be with our sons who are in a tennis academy there. I’m excited for them, and about moving to Spain, but none of this would have happened without South Africa.

The outdoors is important to my family so wherever we went in South Africa we joined the local tennis club. It’s easy to do there and one of the things my clients enjoy most. In fact, many of the outstanding tennis and golf clubs are open to the public.

So South Africa has brought us to Spain by way of tennis. Believe me, if the tennis academy was in South Africa we’d all move there in a minute.

NEXT: Now that you’ve read about how I use my love for South Africa to help clients plan the trips of their lives, take a look at the rest of the site to find out how you can explore yourself in South Africa.

If you’re ready to start planning your trip now, contact me and we’ll get started on the trip of your dreams.