strider expeditions makes way for gay travelers to sa parks

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

April 25, 2007: The widespread belief that Cape Town is the only safe place for gay travelers is preposterous. So said Ian Pollard, Managing Director of Strider Expeditions, a Gay Friendly Inbound Tour Operator established in 2006 specializing in the gay and lesbian travel market.

Established by Pollard, formerly a Senior Guide at Kruger National Park and Charlotte Currie, ex Global Vision volunteer, the touring company also caters for the mainstream clientele as well as educational groups.

Strider Expeditions is the first tour operator specifically focusing on gay tours and educational groups to join the South African National Parks (SANParks)’ varied cliental.  “We feel that the gay and lesbian community is an un-serviced group who are looking to travel and their needs are often not catered for. We have also had several friends, who have traveled to South Africa, and struggled to find suitable activities and establishments catering for their specific interests”, Pollard said. 

SANParks which acts as Strider Expeditions’ accommodation and activities supplier, welcomed the tour operator to the large and varied cliental using their parks. “Strider Expeditions is a new and an interesting addition to this array.”  SANParks said

 Asked if Strider Expeditions has any specific facilities intended to suit the needs of the gay community, Pollard said “We do not believe that gay travelers are any different from a normal tourist, we accept them as people and for who they are. And in this way we treat them no differently from any other tourist coming to visit our lovely country.”

She added that Strider Expeditions strives to support the gay business community by using both gay friendly and exclusively gay establishments and facilities. “Our aim is to promote the South African Gay lifestyle, introduce the guests to our heritage and culture highlighting the influences of important gay individuals and in turn trying to promote gay culture and institutions. And by doing so, promoting South Africa as Gay Friendly destination.”

In its quest to well serve the gay community, this operator utilizes gay tour guides who are fully aware of potential situations, gay issues and the gay lifestyle.  This is done to “ensure a great learning and traveling experience. We have also researched our travel itineraries and destinations extensively so to ensure that the gay lifestyle is accepted in all areas that we visit”

According to Pollards, misinformation is the greatest barrier limiting gay tourists the country as many of them believe that it is unsafe for a gay tourist to leave Cape Town. “This is utterly preposterous, South Africa has gone through immense change over the last decade and the gay lifestyle is accepted throughout the country and not in a few secluded areas. It is out and about, and you are free to show your sexuality with pride and respect."

However she admitted that not everyone in South Africa is accepting of this lifestyle. “This [non-acceptance] is true for many parts of the globe. However, the more we promote our country and get behind gay friendly or gay travel operators and establishments, the more our country will be accepted as a gay friendly travel destination, which will ultimately assist in the development and promotion of the gay community at large.”  

BTM also questioned if Strider Expeditions can protect their gay travelers from other tourists that might be non-accepting of the gay lifestyle and Pollard said “We are not a tour Group Company. We focus on tour packages for small groups of friends or family who book together. We don’t throw together tourists who have not met before, therefore avoiding any possible, however, unlikely, confrontational situations.

She added that Strider Expeditions focuses predominantly on the international western market, who are far more accepting of the gay lifestyle and that all establishments that they use such as restaurants and pubs are predominantly either gay friendly or exclusively gay.

Strider Expeditions is based in Somerset West, South Africa, currently looking offices in the United Kingdom. To get more information about their services, visit www.striderexpeditions.co.za