Bill Harrop’s ”Original” Balloon Safaris is delighted to announce the appointment of one of South Africa’s top hotel managers, Mr. David Atherstone to the position of GENERAL MANAGER.

Dave will be responsible for the management of Flight Operations, Guest Services, Food and Beverage, and Estate Management.
AMO services, being an integral part of Flight Operations will work within this ambit.
He will work along-side our Marketing Manager (Sarah Bauling) and our Financial Manager (Malindi Loader) and will serve on the Marketing, Financial, HR and Operations Committees.
Mary Harrop and Sarah Bauling will act as Alternate CEOs.  Mary will also serve as Assistant Operations Manager and Assistant Flight Operations Manager, assisting Dave where appropriate.  She will also be working as Duty Operations Manager on frequent occasions as well as assisting with telephone reservations.  (As they say, behind every great man…J)

“Dave is a highly respected, very experienced, knowledgeable and well proven manager in the tourism and hospitality industry.  He is also a truly great person in his own right.  The sort of person in whom I am confident to put a great deal of trust and investment in his ability to make our company not only prosper financially but, more importantly, be a really great company that we will all be prouder than ever to be associated with; a Company that will be able to ensure a rewarding future to all who subscribe to these ideals.
However, we realize that those goals are going to be achieved, not by the waving of a magic wand, but more by the application of seriously considered ideas, a bit of thinking outside the square, and some well directed effort.   All of which Dave is eminently able to do. ”, says Bill

It is truly a pleasure to welcome Dave, his wife Karen, and his 2 daughters Brittany and Ashleigh, to our special group.