Envoyage has successfully concluded its third annual Icons event in South Africa’s stunning landscapes. The four-day gathering celebrated the network’s top 50 members from around the globe with an immersive experience that highlighted the rich culture and wildlife of this remarkable destination.
The event opened with an unforgettable rooftop reception in Johannesburg, where these elite travel businesses gathered beneath the vast African sky to commence reward and recognition experience.
Global Managing Director Danielle Galloway set the tone for the week ahead, welcoming delegates to stand “in the presence of greatness,” acknowledging that each Icon embodies the pinnacle of achievement in travel. She praised their dedication to their craft, noting that “Being the best doesn’t happen by chance. It takes vision, relentless commitment, courage to think differently, and a refusal to settle for ‘good enough.’
The following morning, delegates journeyed from Johannesburg’s urban sophistication to the raw beauty of the South African bush, immersing themselves in the untamed wilderness that has captivated global travellers for generations. This shift from cityscape to starlit savanna reflected the very nature of Icon status: mastering diverse environments while upholding excellence, authenticity, and meaningful connections.
This year, Icons major event partners included Europ Assistance, Intrepid Travel, Globus Family of Brands, Room-Res, Expedia TAAP, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cover-More Travel Insurance.
South African Icon in attendance, Zola Somzana, said “Icons was incredible. It felt amazing to be part of a group of people who’ve worked so hard to qualify for such a prestigious event that honours and celebrates our achievements. Envoyage went above and beyond, from the thoughtful branded gifts to the themed welcome and farewell events, and everything in between. Seeing the other Icons from around the world completely in awe of our beautiful country made me feel so proud to call South Africa home. I’m so grateful for the memories and the chance to share this unforgettable experience with such inspiring people.”
Looking ahead, Envoyage has revealed that Vietnam will host the 2026 Icons event from November 2-6, with Intrepid Travel partnering as the key sponsor.
Danielle Galloway, Global Managing Director of Luxury and Independent Brands at Flight Centre Travel Group, expressed her enthusiasm about the event, stating, “Icons 2025 was a resounding success. Once again, this special event allowed our members to build meaningful connections while experiencing the incredible offerings of South Africa. We are excited to take this momentum into next year’s event and look forward to an unforgettable Icons experience in Vietnam.”
Yvette Thomposn, General Manager Sales and Marketing at Intrepid Travel, shared excitement about the upcoming event: “We are so proud and excited to be hosting Icons 2026 in Vietnam. It’s one of Intrepid’s most popular destinations with our travellers. We have seen strong performance from Envoyage members, and Intrepid is committed to enhancing our partnership while creating impactful experiences together around the world.
As Envoyage continues to strengthen its global community of travel advisors, the Icons event serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and cultural exchange within the travel industry.
Icons stands as the ultimate achievement and recognition for Envoyage members globally. As Galloway expressed, the event honours “not just the results but the resilience, not just wins but the wisdom, and not just business but the bonds that transform colleagues into friends.”
For more information about Envoyage, please visit www.envoyagegroup.com
Photo Caption: (From L to R) Jason Buckley, GM Envoyage New Zealand; Chantal Gouws, GM Envoyage South Africa; Christina Pedroni, VP and GM Envoyage US; Astrid Richardson, Global General Manager Envoyage; Danielle Galloway, Global Managing Director Envoyage; Nick Queale – GM Envoyage Australia.
