Traci Talbot

I am a skilled, imaginative, and engaging content writer.

Having traveled around the world, I am well acquainted with the concept of luxury and lifestyle travel. I have visited countries across most continents, and I have lived

in Germany, Switzerland, and New York.

I have crossed borders into Zimbabwe, visiting Victoria Falls and House-Boating on Lake Kariba. I have ridden Quad-Bikes across the salt plains of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pan, water-skied amongst Hippo and Crocodiles on Lake Malawi and hung out with Formula-1 Motocross Champions in the Etosha Park of Namibia.
The Kruger Park and Timbavati region of the South-African Bushveld are as familiar to me as the back yard of my family home...

Inland cities are great, but I believe that I am the embodiment of a true 'Island Girl'.

Palm trees swaying in a warm summer breeze, tanned skin, salty hair, the scent of coconut oil lingering in the air and waves gently lapping at the shore - that's my

idea of heaven. As such, I've left my soul in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and many other slices of paradise but I have always returned to my native South

Africa, where I am fortunate enough to call the beautiful city of Cape Town my home.

I believe myself to be diverse, multifaceted, and culturally observant.

• I began Imagine Cape Town as a small, boutique, one stop hospitality shop
• Over the years of having worked closely and extensively with guests visiting our shores, I finally made the decision to fly solo.
• Maintained operational proficiency in coordinating both international and domestic travel accommodations for customers, arranging for airfare as well as hotel and rental car reservations.
• Asked open-ended questions to better ascertain client needs and determine best international travel offerings.
• Developed loyal clientele base due to excellent listening and research skills and keen understanding of travel budgets.
• Arranged travel accommodations for groups, couples, executives and special needs clients.
• My business model included, but was not limited to, sourcing and securing private vacation accommodation for visitors traveling from abroad.
• Prior to their arrival in South Africa, I would present to my clients with a variety of choices best suited to their ideal vacation requirements.
• These choices included both high end and budget conscious accommodation availability, as well as restaurant, tour and Safari recommendations.
• Provided customers with best deals and well-researched travel options, successfully negotiating rates while improving customer satisfaction ratings.

• A recommendation from a friend resulted in a new genre of employment and a fresh acquaintance to the industry of cosmopolitan tourism
• It was my experience of working at Villa Blue Dream that became the ultimate catalyst to my becoming a self proclaimed, luxury travel guru
• I enjoyed six years marketing, managing, and carrying out concierge duties at this upmarket guest house in Camps Bay
• Alongside the marketing aspect of my job, I experienced great pleasure in having the opportunity of meeting so many wonderful human beings - people that had traveled from all continents of the world many of whom have come to be known as my friends
• In addition to being a guest concierge, I simultaneously carried out all the PA requirements of the German based businessmen that owned the guest house
• The description of these requirements were as follows:
• Management and payment of all monthly property costs and expenditures which included payment of all costs relating to third party services ie: pool cleaning/ maintenance, garden and landscaping maintenance, as well as being an insight project manager of all renovations and general upkeep
• Payment of all staff salaries
• Making necessary travel arrangements with regards to flights, visas, car rentals etc
• Submitting end of year tax documentation
• Freelance, and Make-Up Artist

• I made use of my extensive industry experience, and the contacts I had made, to become a hair and make-up artist within the Cape Town film and fashion industry
• This career gave me the wonderful opportunity to travel abroad again and to meet many new wonderful people from around the world.

• I briefly managed Next Models where the duties I carried out were those of booking models, perusing and negotiating contracts, book keeping, and managing the cash flow of the business
• I was also responsible for taking care of all necessary travel arrangements and visa requirements for both models and clients.

• This was the career that taught me the true love of and for people, along with their many diverse personalities
• My duties ranged from taking bookings to negotiating rates, drawing up contracts, facilitating travel arrangements and organising both travel and working visas for international markets
• In this career I learnt to be a Mother, a best friend and most of all, a therapist.

• This company was a vision that grew and was shared between myself and my ex- husband
• We saw a gap in the booming Cape Town film and fashion industry for mobile hair/make-up and wardrobe vehicles
• My role within the company was as a client liaison, dealing with the drop offs and collection of vehicles to various film locations
• Further to that, I managed all finances and wage payments within the company
• The company later went on to become a joint venture with the Super Group, a well known company enterprises listed on the South African Stock Exchange.

• I founded, owned and operated my own home based beauty salon, specialising in a vast array of massage and skin care treatments
• International Fashion Model represented by 'Mulligans Models' and 'ICE Model
• International Fashion Model
• Various Global Agencies - Global

• Whilst simultaneously co-founding my company 'Focus Rentals', I travelled extensively as an International Model, basing myself mostly in the German, Swiss and Spanish markets.
• Modeled garments such as dresses, coats, underclothing and swimwear.
• Promoted products and services by posing for commercials, live shows and photo shoots.

• During my 'gap year' after matriculating (finishing High School), I worked as the, -keeper at Carlton Hair in Sandton City
• I left Carlton Hair to move from my hometown of Johannesburg to Cape Town.
• Answered incoming calls, directing clients to individuals addressing specific needs.
• Scheduled initial and return appointments for clients, adhering to internal policies while accommodating individual customer needs.
• Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
• Restocked supplies and submitted purchase orders to maintain stock levels.
• Greeted customers and visitors in-person and via telephone calls.
• Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
• Handled complaints and questions, and re-directed calls to other team members.
• Acted as first point of contact and set appointments for prospective clients.