In the internet era, there is less and less of a role for a transactional travel agent. Often it is cheaper and easier to do a booking on-line than via a traditional travel agent. So, in my opinion your average travel agent will be extinct within a few years. There will, however always be a real need for the kind of travel agent Ronél Ligthelm is, who can add value and intelligence to the travel booking experience. When I ask Ronél to take charge of a travel arrangement for me she does just that, following through, adding value and convenience and often suggesting a completely different, and vastly different route or approach. If all travel professionals delivered the additional value, insight and follow-through that Ronél does, they would be a profession with a very bright future, sadly – or I guess – happily for professionals like Ronél, there are very few such experts.

I recently organised a golf trip to Ireland for 44 golfers from around the world, but mainly from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Ronél took care of the complex flight and travel arrangements and nothing was too much trouble for her. She provided a first class service and I found her to be extremely efficient, thorough and dependable. I also used Realworld Travel for a family trip to Disney World and our travel arrangements were a pleasure.

As a result of her moral principles & incredible work ethic, Biomet SA (Pty) Ltd appointed Ronél of Realworld Travel as our preferred travel agent, effective November 2008, thereby authorizing her to administer all travel arrangements on our behalf. Since then she has made uncountable international & local flight & hotel reservations, as well as arranged visa submissions on my behalf. She also assisted me with the arrangements for a congress that Biomet hosted at Spier Wine Estate, Cape Town, during October 2010. Her invaluable & flawless assistance and attention to detail ensured that this congress was a resounding success.

Ronél is a highly professional, respectable, dependable & steadfast person – a person with extreme integrity. In addition, she ALWAYS goes the extra mile. I would not hesitate to recommend Ronél to any company to administer their travel arrangements & wish to take this opportunity to thank Ronél most sincerely, for her unwavering commitment & for making my task so easy!