Africa specialist Vanessa Dean joins Mahlatini Luxury Travel

Dean joins the Belfast-based company as product manager this month in a move Mahlatini said “aligned to ambitions to expand the portfolio in other African destinations and beyond”.

She has 25 years’ experience in the travel industry, including senior roles for Cox & Kings, Carrier and most recently Lusso, where she led the trade-only operator’s product and commercial strategy.

Mahlatini is a specialist in luxury travel to Africa and the Indian Ocean and operates from its headquarters in Belfast and an office in Cape Town.

“I am delighted to be joining such a well-known and respected brand,” Dean said. “I’ve been hugely impressed by how Mahlatini has weathered the pandemic crisis. It is such an exciting time to be joining in their milestone year as they celebrate their 20th anniversary and as the travel industry sees a positive rebound.”

As well as bringing new sub-Sahara African products and guest experiences to the market, Dean will expand Mahlatini’s product range further afield.