Meet Travel Massive Durban Leader: Fred Felton

Fred Felton, travel blogger and owner of Falconscove is Travel Massive Durban’s chapter leader and this month’s featured Leader of the Pack.

Falconscove is a social media management and PR company based in Durban, South Africa which is where Fred interacts with many tourism professionals.

Fiona Wainwright Photography

What motivates you to be part of Travel Massive?

I think it is a wonderful initiative and networking opportunity for those in the travel industry.  The other great thing about it is the people in the community. They are always willing to help each other out.

What makes your city a great place for Travel Massive meet-ups?

Durban is a tourist city, people from around the world flock here to explore our wonderful beaches, coffee shops, the stadiums, uShaka Marine World, Suncoast and so much more.

Fiona Wainwright Photography

What kinds of current or emerging startups, travel companies, and tourism initiatives exist?

There are quite a few travel companies and tourism initiatives in Durban.  Durban Tourism always helps us out from time to time and sometimes even provides speakers for us.  They are a great initiative not just for us, but for the city.  Durban is also the host city for Indaba, the travel and tourism event which is held annually.  This is a major tourism initiative.  The Commonwealth Games are also coming to Durban soon. There are many travel companies that have joined our chapter including Happy Hippo Backpackers, Ethekwini Backpackers, Suncoast Hotel and Towers, The Big Easy Restaurant in the Hilton Hotel and many more.

Do you do anything unique at your meet-ups?

From time to time we do have fun games such as a social media quiz where we ask people some fun questions about what has happened on social media recently. It’s always fun to hear their answers.

Have you acquired any partnerships or professional opportunities from being part of the community?

Ethekwini Backpackers helped us to host our first event, and we have had quite a few other partnerships including Durban Tourism and Swiss Air. Take Note Reputation Management has also helped us and of course Suncoast Hotel & Towers and The Big Easy restaurant in the Hilton Hotel. Travel Massive has also helped to open the door for myself professionally with quite a few offers of work from people who found me on the Travel Massive site.

Do you have a past event that was your favourite?

I think our first event at Indaba which launched Travel Massive Durban was a wonderful event as people from around South Africa and the world came to join our launch. It was great to set it up with Stuart Parker.

What is your best advice to a newcomer who wants to attend a Travel Massive event for the first time?

It really is worthwhile. Just come to the event and you will find some wonderful people in the travel and tourism industry willing to connect with you.

Fiona Wainwright Photography