[text_output] Keep the Lions Tour in South Africa – Postpone to 2022 and DO NOT switch to UK and Ireland [/text_output][line id=” class=” style=”][text_output]In just over two days, more than 2,700 rugby fans have signed this petition to postpone the Lions Tour to 2022 and keep it in South Africa. Two of those to have signed are former Lions stars, Graham Price and Tim Stimpson. Other past rugby players adding their name to the list are ex-Springboks, Tonderai Chavanga, Corne Krige and ex-England prop and media star, David Flatman.   The supporter who is personally fronting the campaign is our MD and five-time Lions tourist, Mark Gardner. Asked by South African newspaper, The Weekend Argus why he launched the campaign, Mark explained: “I decided to start this Petition to give an official fans’ viewpoint on what the tour means to them.  The rugby games are a circular process of making friendships, experiencing a new culture, exploring new lands and investing in the local economy.  It’s part of Lions DNA and folklore and should not be tampered with.” [/text_output].vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad42136:hover{color: #ffffff;background-color: #e820de;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad42136{color: #ffffff;border: none;background-color: #dd3333;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;}SIGN TO KEEP THE LIONS TOUR IN SA [image src=”22356″ alt=”David Flatman supports the Lions Fans’ petition” href=”https://twitter.com/davidflatman/status/1348652629535186946″ title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=”][text_output]Thanks to HUGE backing from supporters, The Sun, Daily Mail, Irish Examiner, The Scotsman, News24 and an array of other media outlets have all reported the story. Popular social media accounts, including RugbyPass, have also promoted the campaign alongside numerous media outlets across South Africa.  Help protect the magic of the Lions and South Africa tourism.  Our ONE MILLION RAND charities need this.  The game of rugby needs this.  But, most of all, the fans need this. Mark Gardner Lions Fan [/text_output][text_output] Show your support by signing the petition via the link below [/text_output][line id=” class=” style=”].vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad4288a:hover{color: #ffffff;background-color: #e820de;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad4288a{color: #ffffff;border: none;background-color: #dd3333;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;}SIGN TO POSTPONE TO 2022

[text_output] Save South African Tourism #SAnotUK [/text_output][line id=” class=” style=”][text_output]Covid-19 will almost certainly prevent the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour from taking place in the host country of South Africa. I am petitioning for the home nations of England (RFU), Scotland (SRU), Ireland (IRFU) Wales (WRU) who collectively make up the British & Irish Lions Board, and South Africa (SA Rugby) to do the right thing by agreeing to switch the Lions tour to 2022, placing this before the needs of their own country’s proposed summer tours.    As The Sunday Times’ esteemed journalist, Stephen Jones described in his article on 10th January 2021, ‘The Lions bring a marvellous boost for rugby and the economy — a conservative estimate for 2021 indicates that 3.1 billion Rand (about £150 million) will be injected into the faltering economy by about 30,000 fans.’  Ex-Springbok, Tonderai Chavhanga supports this notion.  “As a country, we’ve been excitedly preparing for this event for 12 years.  Our fantastic fans should not be denied the opportunity to watch this Series, nor should our tourism infrastructure suffer any further financial losses that Covid has already delivered.”[/text_output].vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad43a37:hover{color: #ffffff;background-color: #e820de;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad43a37{color: #ffffff;border: none;background-color: #dd3333;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;}SIGN TO KEEP THE LIONS TOUR IN SA [image src=”20450″ alt=” href=” title=” info_content=” lightbox_caption=” id=” class=” style=”][text_output]What makes the Lions special, what makes the Lions unique is the power it has to tempt 30,000+ passionate rugby fans from across the British and Irish Isles to embark on a sporting pilgrimage to the opposite side of the globe.  The recipients and beneficiaries are thousands of South African supporters, businesses and organisations that have dedicated their resources to hosting our travelling army of fans.Mark Gardner Lions Fan [/text_output][text_output] Show your support by signing the petition via the link below [/text_output].vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad440bc:hover{color: #ffffff;background-color: #e820de;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient-custom.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad440bc{color: #ffffff;border: none;background-color: #dd3333;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #dd3333 0%, #e820de 50%,#dd3333 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;}SIGN TO POSTPONE TO 2022

 Kevin Smith joins the board at MSG Tours Ltd Kevin ‘The Guru’ Smith joins MSG in a Non-Executive Director role to oversee events, partnerships and sustainability programmes.  With an extensive travel CV, Kevin boasts senior travel industry leadership experience (Mike Burton Group/England Rugby Travel, Lions Rugby Travel and Team GB Live) where he was a […]

[text_output] MSG Tours Ltd announces new directorship with Company expansion during Covid-19. Exponential growth and forward bookings in school educational travel, sporting tours and international sports events / hospitality provide the platform for extending the MSG Tours Ltd leadership team through 2021 and beyond. Following MSG’s recent appointment as an Official Travel Agent (OTA) for Rugby World Cup France 2023, Finance Manager, Lucy Hey steps up to the Board to oversee the Company’s projects and acquisitions following four years of strategic growth management, including a recent return from maternity leave. The invitation and acceptance by Lucy Hey to step up to the Board capacity follows a robust recruitment campaign during the pandemic. Three appointments have been made within the Company’s events and marketing teams that defy the industry trend of head count losses in and around the travel sector.[/text_output][line id=” class=” style=”][text_output] Introducing MSG’s new Finance Director [/text_output][text_output]MSG’s new Finance Director, Lucy Hey said: “Being part of an up-and-coming business that challenges the industry with everything it does has been such an honour. “I’m delighted that I’ve supported the company through its start-up years (including the pandemic of 2020) so to join the Board as Finance Director of what is now an established business makes me very proud.”[/text_output] [text_output]CEO, Mark Gardner commented on the exciting news: “Whilst many travel operators have reduced scale and operations during Covid-19, our growth in all operational sectors has supported the acquisition and promotion of key talent for our organisation’s three international offices. “Both a precocious talent and hugely popular figure in our organisation, Lucy’s trajectory announces one of the Midlands’ success stories in female leadership at just 22 years of age.” Lucy will commence her new directorship with MSG at the beginning of the New Year, in January 2021.[/text_output]

Inspection Visit to South Africa Vaughan Voyage’s Guest Diary Our West Walian partners at Vaughan Voyage will be bringing a strong, passionate and vocal contingent with them as they join us in South Africa next summer. In Scarlets heartland, rugby flows in the blood while Welsh song is embedded deep in the soul.  That’s why […]

MSG Tours Appointed Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup France 2023  MSG Tours Ltd proudly announce an exciting partnership with Rugby World Cup France 2023 as Official Travel Agents for the forthcoming edition on European soil. Groupe Couleur, exclusive global rights holder for Rugby World Cup France 2023 Official Travel Programme, launched the process for the appointment of Official Travel Agents (OTAs) […]

[text_output] Inspection Visit to South Africa Joe’s Garden Route Diary When picturing South Africa, it’s hard not to imagine the deep blue ocean meeting the miles and miles of golden sands. And that’s exactly what you get along the Garden Route.  It’s 200 kilometres of beautiful coastline with a sprinkling of wine and wildlife. Between Tests, you can unwind by taking in some glorious scenery wherever you are stopping on the Garden Route. But, just to be sure it meets the needs of our loyal Supporters ahead of our tour to South Africa 2021, our very own Joe checked it out for you first. [/text_output][text_output] From Cape Town to The Garden Route  Waving goodbye to Cape Town was a tough ask for the Inspection Team. It wasn’t just Laura that left a piece of her heart in the Mother City. But fear not fellow travellers! Your heartache is short lived with what lies ahead along the Garden Route.   After a brief, one-take pause for filming on the toes of Chapman’s Peak, onward we went to check out the site of our post 2nd Test Sunday Social – Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek. The setting alone ensures that you will be blown away. Nestled on the slopes of the aforementioned mountain range, the estate prospers from the cocktail of cool sea breezes and ancient soils.   I made sure the wine was good enough to invigorate the tastebuds of our Supporters by sampling some of the world class Sauvignon Blanc on offer. Oh, and I made sure the location was up to scratch, too.  Vistas of the Atlantic Ocean a mere 1.2km away made that wine taste a whole lot sweeter. [/text_output].vc_btn3-style-gradient.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad47eae:hover{color: #fff;background-color: #8d6dc4;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad47eae{color: #fff;border: none;background-color: #f4524d;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #f4524d 0%, #8d6dc4 50%,#f4524d 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #f4524d 0%, #8d6dc4 50%,#f4524d 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;} Join MSG in South Africa next summer [line id=” class=” style=”][text_output] En Route   One of the most common questions that we field is “How long is the drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route?” The answer really depends on two further questions! How often you can resist stopping to admire the view and take photos? How soon can you peel yourself away from the coast?   Trust me, it’s tough to resist stopping at all the Instagrammable spots along the way when we’re up against the clock inspecting every place, hotel and venue on the checklist.  The official Garden Route begins at its most western point in Mossel Bay (uncoincidentally where many of our MSG family will be staying at our premium hotel, The Point). Leaving the coastline for the N2 at Gordon’s Bay and you’ll arrive in a shade over 4 ½ hours. With the stunning scenery on offer, that flies by all too soon. If anything, it is not long enough. Once checked in, the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse and the wide Santos Beach must be checked out!  [/text_output][text_output] Knysna and Simola Country Club Centrally located along the Garden Route is the quaint town of Knysna. Famous for its oysters and seahorses, it sits on the edge of a vast estuary that flows from the mountains, through the lagoon and out to the Indian Ocean via two gigantic limestone heads.   We arrived as night was falling so I had to wait a little bit longer to see the town’s famous lagoon in all its glory. Through the Knysna Forest was our home for the evening: Simola Country Club and Spa. In a word; wow!   The room keys were distributed and we went to our respective suites to freshen up prior to our last supper. You know that giddy feeling you get at the door of any hotel room? Intrigued as to what awaits you on the other side. This place takes the biscuit and then some. A personal palace of indulgence and relaxation that combines open plan living with a private patio.   It really is 5 star all the way here and the perfect place for our final night in South Africa. I’ll never forget drawing the curtains in the morning to reveal the sunrise over the Knysna heads, lagoon and the golf course at my feet. I will return with my clubs to tackle the signature Jack Nicklaus course someday soon! [/text_output].vc_btn3-style-gradient.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad48508:hover{color: #fff;background-color: #8d6dc4;border: none;background-position: 100% 0;}.vc_btn3-style-gradient.vc_btn-gradient-btn-6921a5ad48508{color: #fff;border: none;background-color: #f4524d;background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, #f4524d 0%, #8d6dc4 50%,#f4524d 100%);background-image: linear-gradient(to right, #f4524d 0%, #8d6dc4 50%,#f4524d 100%);-webkit-transition: all .2s ease-in-out;transition: all .2s ease-in-out;background-size: 200% 100%;} Come with us to experience the Garden Route next year [line id=” class=” style=”][text_output]The Garden Route was a breath-taking journey from start to finish. I’m not sure you can really call it a location transfer when the whole journey is as much of an included excursion. You will not be disappointed stopping off and waking up at these salubrious South African spots. Recently, we went live in the MSG Tours Lekker Lounge, talking all things South Africa with some very special guests. Check out and catch up with our first live episode below. [/text_output][line id=” class=” style=”][text_output] Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021 Error: Contact form not found.[/text_output]

Introducing our Head of Events and Media MSG are excited to announce Ross Harries as the company’s new Head of Events and Media. The MSG line up is boosted with a premier makeover through the addition of Ross – a renowned and well-recognised rugby journalist, broadcaster and media front man. Famed for his abiding stint as headline presenter […]

Inspection Visit to South Africa Laura’s Cape Town Diary Perched beneath Table Mountain and sat alongside the Atlantic Ocean is South Africa’s big draw. The city with an image which would be worthy of any postcard. With its coast and landscape mixed in with African culture and cuisine, Cape Town is a must visit for […]

MSG partners with The Beast Foundation: Tendai Mtawarira MSG Tours are excited to announce our partnership with the Rugby World Cup winning Springbok prop – Tendai Mtawarira – and The Beast Foundation. With 117 caps for South Africa, a Test series victory over the Lions and more recently, a Rugby World Cup, ‘The Beast’ will be […]