Travel is in my DNA.
Melony van der Merwe is an independent Strategic Partnerships and Travel Trade Relations Specialist with over 18 years of experience in the luxury and sustainable tourism industry. Based in the United States, Melony has developed a reputation for her expertise in designing private journeys, building communities, marketing iconic boutique luxury hotels and safari lodges, and advocating for sustainability in travel through technology.
A South African native, Melony’s passion for promoting Africa to the world was ignited during a life-changing, two-month road trip from Timbuktu to Cape Town, where she co-hosted a travel series. Before moving to the U.S. in 2006, she worked as a brand manager for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, laying the groundwork for her career in travel and sustainability.
Working independently, Melony offers clients exclusive access to her extensive knowledge, helping them optimize their investments in some of the most important luxury travel markets worldwide. Her passion lies in guiding the transformation of travel and hospitality practices to become more inclusive, diverse, and authentically connected to the entire ecosystem of the travel experience.
Hailing from a small town in South Africa’s Winelands, Melony is a University of Stellenbosch alumna and a former national volleyball player. While she enjoys traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, she feels most at home in her kitchen, where she builds community and offers guidance during times of change. Her purpose is clear: to create, transform, and nurture in everything she does.