Empowering

Leading Change in Vegan Hospitality Consulting

Our Story:

About Ubuntu Vegan Hospitality Consulting

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others‘. It is often described to remind us that ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. At Ubuntu Vegan Hospitality Consulting we understand that everything is interconnected and interdependent, and that in hospitality every person, from the waiter to the CEO, is equally important in creating a magical customer experience.

With a strong focus on compassionate customer service and sustainability strategies, we practice and integrate Ubuntu to enable game lodges, boutique hotels, and guesthouses to expand their offerings and welcome more guests seeking vegan, plant-based and earth-friendly experiences.

Mission

Empowering forward thinking hospitality establishments in South Africa to successfully and profitably tap into the growing vegan travel market with customized and sustainability-focused, plant-forward strategies.

Vision

Creating a global network of vegan-friendly accommodations committed to sustainable and compassionate hospitality, and for South Africa to be in the top 3 of vegan-friendliest tourism destinations in the world!

Values

Veganism (do as little harm as possible), Ubuntu, Compassion, Sustainability, Innovation, Integrity, and Passion guide our every interaction and strategy.

Our Journey:

Our Evolution in Vegan Hospitality Consulting

Ingrid Geertsema is an accredited HCA Health and CNS Plant-Based Nutrition Coach, a vegan travel agent and Vegan Hospitality consultant, and a passionate advocate of sustainability in the food sector. She is also the Coordinator/Liaison for the Plant Based Treaty in South Africa.

Ingrid’s passion for hospitality stems from 24+ years of inbound travel experience, which started when she moved from her native Netherlands to South Africa in 2000. Her experience ranges from guiding overland camping safaris through Southern Africa to 15 years of owning her own boutique travel agency, which has created a keen understanding of the tourism industry and a passionate dedication to not only meeting, but exceeding the expectations of all of her customers.

Having been a health-conscious wholefoods plant-based vegan since 2018, Ingrid experienced first-hand the slow adjustment to a more plant-forward culture in South Africa. Today, the vegan movement has grown to become an unstoppable and ever-growing snowball, with many travelers to South Africa looking for compassionate customer service and plant-based and sustainable food and travel experiences.

Ubuntu Vegan Hospitality Consulting began with Ingrid’s personal journey as a plant-based vegan and has evolved into a pioneering consultancy that combines all Ingrid’s passions and transforms hospitality establishments into vegan-friendly havens.

Ingrid currently lives in a small fairytale cottage on the edge of the forest at Peace of Eden Vegan Nature Lodge in Knysna, Western Cape, with her (vegan) township dog, Bug.

Join Us

Start Your Vegan Hospitality Transformation Today

Contact us to revolutionize your guest services with tailored vegan strategies, enhancing your establishment’s sustainability and appeal.

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