Gugu Sithole is a tourism entrepreneur and the visionary behind Glamping Adventures. Her passion for travel, community development and environmental sustainability has led her to create a unique travel experience that combines the luxury of glamping with meaningful community impact.
Q: What was the inspiration behind starting Glamping Adventures? A: My journey began with a vision to create affordable and accessible travel experiences. I was shocked to learn that less than five million South Africans can afford domestic travel. This sparked my interest in developing affordable travel solutions that would encourage more people to explore locally. Initially, I considered camping, but I realised that for many, it has long been synonymous with roughing it out in their own living rooms. Thats when the idea of glampingglamorous campingcame to me. Its the perfect solution for those who cherish the outdoors but prefer not to sacrifice comfort or convenience. Thats how Glamping Adventures was born.
Ive always loved exploring our beautiful country. Although I never initially envisioned a career in tourism - my background is in events management and marketingit became evident during my travels that communities living adjacent to these stunning tourist spots were merely spectators in the tourism ecosystem. This realisation ignited my determination to create change and improve the lives of women and youth in areas plagued by high unemployment and poverty. I recognised that tourism could be a powerful tool to create impactful job opportunities.
