View Our Frequently Asked Questions

2.1. Alignment with Recognised Equitable Tourism Initiatives

Q. What is the BEE STATUS of Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris?

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has been rated as BBBEE compliant and 100% PRL (procurement recognition level) by BEE Rating Solutions. (ABVA Membership No. 049)

Q. Are TOMSA contributions proffered by Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris?

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is a voluntary contributor to TOMSA (Tourism Marketing South Africa, a division of TBCSA) responsible for international marketing initiatives for the benefit of the South African tourism industry in particular and the country in general.

Employment Policy
We abhor tokenism as much as racism.
We employ on criteria of attitude, ability and aspiration, but also realize that for our clients there is derivable benefit to be gleaned from utilizing the services of BBBEE compliant service providers.

Thankfully, self-assessment forms are now a thing of the past (and they took forever to fill out for each and every client who asked.)

Now, as only a recognised assessment agency’s certificate may be considered we engaged the services of one, and without making any tokenistic tap dance it would appear that our “score card” was well enough balanced to give us the requisite qualification for BEE compliance with a PRL (procurement requirement level) of 100%.

In summary we believe that we are an “equal opportunity employer” and have continually demonstrated our commitment to invest in the upliftment of every one of our employees and our community who are prepared to make the effort. Thus a greater benefit comes in the consequence of a proactive approach.

2.2. Membership of Respected Tourism organisations
(Which attest to the credibility of financial stability and assurance bonding, leverage and social conscience.)

 Q. To what respected tourism business associations does Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris belong?

– SATSA (Southern African Tourism Services Association) National member since 1981

– Bill Harrop served on the Johannesburg chapter committee as well as the National Executive Council.

– Crocodile Ramble

– Mogale Tourism

Q. To which respected tourism community and environmental associations and community initiatives is Bill

Heritage Environmental Rating Program

A broad based internal charity accves as the Vice President

 ount is in place for meaning ful ad hoc contributions to a wide variety of organizations including education, health, medical research, police forums, child welfare, etc.

Q. To which respected tourism business and community associations do individual staff members of Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris belong?

SKAL (worldwide tourism executives organization)

CEO Bill Harrop has served as National President and Johannesburg President Marketing Manager Sarah Bauling has served on the Johannesburg chapter committee Travelbags (South African Women In Travel).

2.3. Industry Awards in Recognition of High Service Standards and Safety
(Giving unbiased proof of organizations ability to produce top class results.)

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is proud to have been the first recipient of the SA Tourism Welcome Award for the Best Tour Operator 2006.

The company and various staff members have also been recipients of aviation safety awards.

2.4. Strength and Long Term Financial Reputation
(Giving assurance of credibility, financial security, good standing, financial bonding and leverage.)

We are confident that credit checks with various agencies will attest to our good standing. If we can’t afford it, we don’t buy it, and often joke that if any organization avers that our account is overdue we suggest one first looks at the quality of their service to see if we received what we were told and are thus disputing.

2.5. Time in Business and Extent of Experience
(Giving proof of commitment to fulfilling requirements to organize the clients experience to produce the best possible result.)

Established in 1981, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris as been in business for over 33 years, verification that we are the most experienced balloon operator by far.

2.6. Ongoing Staff and Crew Assessment and Training Programmes
Training in-house

Staff are constantly trained in-house by qualified personnel in piloting, crewing, office procedures, restaurant waiting and food preparation service, they are encouraged and financed to take practical or management courses relevant to their aspirations for progress and upliftment.

Tertiary education in South Africa

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris was the first ballooning company to enrol and finance all their pilots and senior ground staff at the Cranfield Aviation College for initial courses and annual refresher courses in crew resource management and carriage of dangerous goods.

Education courses overseas

Other courses have been financed for various staff members to travel overseas, some to the Disney customer service course in Florida, USA, some to study and qualify in (aircraft) balloon repairs and maintenance in Bristol, UK.

2.7. Size of Aircraft and Vehicle Fleet

(Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is the sole owner of the largest passenger carrying capacity fleet in Southern Africa which enhances flexibility of utilization, as well as the assurance of a programmed fleet management plan without operational disruption. The need to employ numerous sub-contractors who might have a parallel interest is also minimized.)

Our smaller balloons can carry between 4 and 8 passengers and the larger ones between 16 and 18 passengers (plus pilots) each. In March 2008 we ordered the manufacture of another 18 passenger balloon for delivery in October. Dependent on service availability, we can fly 50 to 70 passengers at one time (and twice that number on a “double hop.”)

Each balloon has its own 4 x 4 retrieve vehicle and trailer as well as its own dedicated passenger bus for the guests.