ABOUT US
Hospitality Specialists in Sales & Marketing
WHAT WE DO
Hospitality & Tourism Specialists
Big Tree Marketing is a respected and highly regarded tourism and hospitality marketing company. Our diverse portfolio over the years has included five-star lodges, natural wonders, cultural experiences, adventure tours, hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and transport suppliers.
Big Tree Marketing is a hands-on, owner-run marketing representation company with over 25 years of experience and a vast network of industry contacts. Our strong positioning ensures excellent exposure to key industry leaders, product managers, and decision-makers, helping our clients succeed in the competitive tourism landscape.
As experts in collaboration marketing, we expand reach and enhance audience engagement by leveraging existing networks, pooling resources, and cross-promoting through diverse buyer channels. This approach increases visibility for all partners by fostering meaningful interactions and, ultimately, building long-term relationships that drive sustained success.
Big Tree Marketing benefits from a strong position within the tourism industry, consistently demonstrating good practice in key areas, including audited financial statements and BBEEE compliance. Additionally, the company maintains general public liability insurance, ensuring peace of mind.
With a proven track record, Big Tree Marketing is a long-standing member of several respected organizations, including SATSA, Cape Town Tourism, and the international travel club SKAL, further solidifying our reputation within the industry.
One of the most immediate and valuable advantages of our collaborative approach is cost efficiency and resource optimization, as we share the burden of promotional expenses. More importantly, this enables the execution of high-impact marketing strategies that may have been beyond the reach of individual budgets, allowing partners to achieve greater visibility and market penetration.
WHO WE ARE
Lindsey Gibaud – Owner
Lindsey is a hospitality specialist who has been actively involved in tourism since 1999 and has worked for and with a wide range of tour operators, travel agents, attractions and accommodation establishments in local, regional and international markets.
Her strategic insights stem from experience with the international sales team at Protea Hotels and the real life struggle to market two independent hotels in Knysna and Port Elizabeth against more well-known and established competitors. She is a service orientated tourism enthusiast and promotes her country and clients at every opportunity. Practical experience on how to market large and small with personal care and professionalism set her apart from other marketers.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME
Why Big Tree?
The journey to opening this company includes working in Public Relations, Marketing and of course hotels. All these opportunities lay down roots for a business that would one day grow out of these experiences and bear fruit in a business that would enable me to do exactly what I love. The truth is that after 17 years in the tourism and hospitality industry, on 1 September 2011 work ceased to be ‘work’ it became an extension of who I am and what I love doing.
Trees have deep rooted symbolism as is apparent in metaphors like the ‘tree of life’ and ancestral heritage family trees. Trees also symbolize life and growth, reaching down into the ground and up to the sky at the same time and are often depicted in African mythology as being the centre of both heaven and earth. Further symbolism suggests a seed, from which strong roots grow, roots which bear testament to years of work perhaps unnoticed but gathering strength and laying foundations. The many branches depict various aspects of my work and the portfolio of partners that I represent. In many African stories trees are portrayed as symbols of wisdom, protection against elements, reservoirs for water, food and medicines. Big Tree Marketing echoes all this and is a platform for me to do what I love, connecting people and showcasing hospitality and tourism products in our beautiful country. For me it is personal. Individual, professional and practical attention set us apart from others. Highly regarded as ethical and insightful, our partners benefit from personal relationships with domestic and international trade and an extensive network of tourism leaders. Big Tree Marketing are true hospitality specialists looking forward to working with more South African companies requiring sales and marketing assistance.
Let's chat!
Need more information? Send me an email or drop me a line. I don’t bite!