2014 was a rough year for facial hair; my own stagnant beard growth meant I’d given up on returning to the YoursTruly region of Kloof Street until I caught wind of Travel Massive.
A global travel and tourism movement started by an Aussie called Ian Cumming, for Capetonians Travel Massive has become the industry-standard for meet ups. The event has evolved in its relatively short lifespan – we’ve seen the Travel Massive social network launch as well as Travel Massive Marketplace which helps members promote and discover tourism opportunities around the world. Virtual stuff aside the best part of Travel Massive is in the face-to-face interactions at the FREE events hosted in amazing venues ranging from snazzy hotels and yachts to aquariums and even our very own Travelstart HQ.
When it launched two years ago organisers Simon Lewis and Dawn Jorgensen probably didn’t realise they were hatching something that would fast-become the most highly anticipated event on the tourism industry social calendar.
Once in Cape Town, the boutique backpackers above YoursTruly, was the venue for T Massive Cape Town’s maiden voyage on 30 April 2014.
The Golden Rule: Don’t register for Travel Massives you don’t plan on attending
Simon (left) and Dawn (right) introduce Travel Massive to Cape Town – 30/04/2014.
Not only is the Cape Town chapter of Travel Massive one of the most anticipated, it is also one of the movements success stories out of their 125 global chapters; to put things into perspective chapter leader Simon Lewis gave me some stats:
- Travel Massive Cape Town celebrates 2 years in April 2016.
- The Cape Town chapter is the fastest growing Travel Massive chapter in the world.
- Travel Massive Cape Town boasts over 800 active members.
- Cape Town Massive has hosted 12 events in 24 months.
- Each event has been fully sponsored by local travel and tourism companies. Shout out to Groot Constantia who have been a steadfast sponsor of most events.
- The smallest event hosted 80 people and the largest hosted 250!
Video of the most recent Travel Massive (05/04/2016) by Kelly & Woods
For some reason Travel Massive Cape Town was a success from the get go. Maybe it’s because we’re spoiled for choice with venues, maybe it’s because we have such a vibrant tourism industry down here, or maybe it’s because the people who work in this field are just so damn passionate about what they do.
Simon, who leads the Cape Town chapter of Travel Massive alongside Dawn Jorgensen, points to the support the events receive as the key to its success, “All our success isn’t down to me or Dawn it’s down to the Cape Town travel industry that really got behind our crazy idea and supported each and every event by sponsoring and just turning up.”
To Travel Massive and Simon and Dawn: the community down here thanks you for tying us together, plying us with wine and letting us create fond memories in some of the most awesome venues in the Mother City.
Become part of this great event which has unified travel and tourism professionals around the world by registering your Travel Massive profile or join the local Facebook group to get a feeling for it.
Lastly, always remember the Golden Rule: Don’t register for Travel Massives you don’t plan on attending.
