Global Ecotourism Consultant Paul Gardiner’s Perspective on Sustainability and Global Impact

Interview with Paul Gardiner, Director of Mantis, Terra Nova and Bear Grylls Survival Academy

How do you assess the ecotourism sector? What is your perspective on it and what insights do you have about its future?

My family has been immersed in ecotourism for five decades. Growing up in South Africa has provided me with a unique perspective and a personal connection to the industry. My passion for ecosystem stems from witnessing the challenges it faced 30 years ago and recognizing the subsequent opportunities.

In the present world, where climate change is a pressing concern, there is a growing consciousness about the environmental impact of travel. The traditional notion of carefree jet-setting is evolving, and people are becoming more mindful of their travel choices. Addressing this, our approach emphasizes embracing eco-friendly practices on the ground to offset the environmental impact of extensive travel.

Given the current scenario, it is crucial to encourage eco-conscious behaviors. Our role on the ground extends beyond providing a vacation experience; we strive to make our guests active participants in environmental preservation. Instead of just lounging on the beach, our guests actively contribute to initiatives such as planting coral reefs, engaging in whale watching, and gaining insights into the behaviors of marine life like dolphins and dugongs. Our goal is to offer an informative and educational experience, ensuring that guests leave not only refreshed but also enlightened.

In the face of these challenges and opportunities, I believe our focus on ecotourism positions us well to excel. The present landscape presents a significant opportunity for growth and impact in the ecotourism space.

What inspired the initial steps, and how did it evolve into the venture it is today?

Let’s rewind to the early ’90s. Growing up in South Africa during that time was challenging, with the country transitioning out of apartheid and on the brink of civil unrest. I was a young teenager of about 13 or 14, navigating through these tense times. My father, an entrepreneur, had a dream of owning a piece of land, a sentiment shared by many South Africans. He acquired a small game farm, initially used for hunting, serving as our weekend retreat while my brother and I were at boarding school.

As fate would have it, more farms came up for sale, and my father ended up acquiring 10 sizable properties. Intrigued by the historical wildlife in the region, he discovered that elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, leopards, and more had once roamed the area, but were now extinct. Determined to revive this ecosystem, he embarked on the journey of rewilding 30 years ago, a time when tourism in South Africa faced challenges due to apartheid.

However, my father had a vision and believed in the potential of South Africa’s tourism industry, especially with the global spotlight on the country’s transition to democracy under Nelson Mandela, South Africa transitioned positively, and the tourism gates opened. The game reserve, named Shamwari, situated close to Cape Town and a malaria-free zone, became a prime destination. It attracted international attention, with celebrities like Tiger Woods, Brad Pitt, John Travolta, and Nicolas Cage visiting to witness and partake in the experiences my father had created.

Shamwari’s success paved the way for our entry into ecotourism three decades ago. Building upon this foundation, we expanded our portfolio, acquiring various hotel assets and game reserves. In 2000, we officially established the brand Mantis, marking a significant milestone in our journey.

What sets Mantis apart from existing competitors?

Mantis evolved from the success of our significant game reserve venture. When you build a series of products, there comes a time when branding them collectively offers numerous advantages. We envisioned an eco-friendly brand and chose the name “Mantis,” inspired by the small insect. We crafted a meaningful acronym—man and nature together is sustainable—to encapsulate our vision. Mantis aimed to identify properties in the ecotourism space that provided luxurious experiences without being overly opulent.

Our competitive advantage lays in seeking out the finest locations across Africa. While we owned many of these properties, we also adopted a management and franchise model. The ambitious plan was to extend the brand’s footprint to all seven continents, positioning ourselves as the eco lodge specialists globally. We successfully established presence on six continents, with Antarctica being the elusive seventh. Forming an alliance with White Desert, a camp on Antarctica, completed our unique accomplishment.

Between 2010 and 2017, Mantis stood as the sole hotel group on all seven continents. However, as a family-owned business, we faced challenges without an online distribution network and a loyalty program. Subsequently, we received interest from various companies, with Accor, a prominent French company, eventually taking a significant stake in our business. The partnership provided us with global online distribution and a loyalty program, while allowing Accor to signal their commitment to environmental responsibility. This partnership marked the beginning of the next phase for Mantis.

Our current emphasis is on Africa and the Middle East. Subsequently, we plan to methodically extend our reach globally. Following a comprehensive restructuring where we streamlined our operations, we are poised for a fresh start. That encapsulates the essence of the Mantis story.

Let’s now talk about Terra Nova, the new company that seems to be the focal point of your current endeavors. Could you provide a description of the services that Terra Nova offers?

While my involvement with Mantis continues, where I serve as a director, it remains a personal commitment of mine to support the exceptional eco-team in expanding the brand globally. I have also taken on a new role with Terra Nova, meaning “new land.” Drawing upon 30 years of experience, my business partner, Ashley Cummins, and I have united in a mission to assist global investors in the realm of ecotourism. Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel but to leverage the knowledge we have gained over three decades and offer it to those seeking investment opportunities. Whether it is an eco lodge or a game reserve, investors come to us to save time and money. We take on the conceptualization of these projects by engaging our network of experts—architects, interior decorators, marketing professionals, and benchmarking specialists, many of whom have been integral to our family’s projects for decades.

Personally, I am passionate about curating the guest experience. Building a beautiful lodge is one thing, but if guests do not have meaningful experiences, the purpose is lost. We brainstorm and implement ideas ranging from wildlife and nature experiences to farm to fork concepts and ocean-based safaris. We are transparent about what happens behind the scenes, like performing medical procedures on rhinos. Instead of hiding it, we involve guests in a safe and educational way, creating memorable experiences that last a lifetime.

Terra Nova is fueled by 30 years of dedication, and we are eager to share our expertise with investors who are enthusiastic about entering the ecotourism space.

What challenges do your clients typically face when initiating projects like eco lodges or game reserves, and how does Terra Nova address these issues?

Often, our clients approach us with ambitious plans for these lodges, envisioning grandiose structures to compete as best in class. Whether influenced by friends’ endeavors or safari experiences, they may want to replicate these projects. Our role is to bring a dose of reality, especially when their aspirations could lead to financial losses year after year. While ample funds may be available initially, the frustration sets in when the venture becomes financially draining.

We strive to paint a realistic picture of the business’s trajectory, emphasizing the importance of achieving sustainable profitability. Overcapitalization is a common pitfall we address, cautioning against building something that, despite the best expertise and support, may never turn a profit. We present options and guide investors to ensure that their venture remains viable for generations to come. We recognize the potential pitfalls when wealth passes from one generation to the next and work to prevent projects from being abandoned or converted back into farmland.

Our pride lies in steering investors carefully, ensuring their investments have enduring value. We actively discourage the construction of overly extravagant structures and advocate for beautiful off-the-grid designs with minimal environmental impact. This philosophy is fundamental to Terra Nova’s core values and mission.

Could you discuss the recent growth and activities of your academy, highlighting its evolution and key initiatives or programs that have played a crucial role?

Beyond Mantis, Terra Nova, and ecotourism, education holds a significant place within our group. Mantis has formed a partnership with Stenden University, one of the largest hospitality schools in the Netherlands. They have established a campus in South Africa, where Dutch students pursue their B Com in hospitality management. A unique aspect of this program is that one semester is spent at our game reserve, providing hands-on learning in wildlife and lodge management—an opportunity not readily available in Europe.

Education is a key aspect of our initiatives. We also offer a specialized course for veterinary students, inviting them to our South African game reserve for a structured program, providing practical experience with our vet. Instead of pursuing extramural studies locally, students can immerse themselves in the South African environment, working with rhinos and elephants.

Through our educational engagements, I had the privilege of meeting Bear Grylls, a renowned adventurer and television personality focused on reconnecting people with nature. His mission of reconnecting people, especially children, with nature deeply resonated with us. Inspired by his ethos, we collaborated to bring Bear Grylls’ outdoor experiences to life for kids, families, and corporate team-building activities. This becomes a unique part of our Terra Nova offering, injecting fun and adventure into larger escapes.

For instance, at our safari lodge in South Africa, named Founders, when parents want to relax at the lodge, the kids embark on a Bear Grylls adventure in the valley. They learn navigation, shelter building, fire lighting, and engage in survival scenarios—creating a unique and enjoyable experience. Bear Grylls’ ethos resonates with our goal of getting kids outdoors, enjoying nature, and building essential survival skills.

What is your ultimate dream and where do you aspire to conduct all your activities?

Reiterating my earlier point, Terra Nova boasts 30 years of successful endeavors. My vision is to extend this wealth of experience globally. We have excelled in various aspects of ecotourism, including designing lodges, eco lodges, off-the-grid accommodations, and enhancing guest experiences. My dream is to take all that we have accomplished in these three decades and bring Terra Nova’s expertise to every corner of the world.

We have honed our skills in rewilding, exemplified by the success of the Shamwari model. I firmly believe we can apply this model anywhere globally. As an example, we have a longstanding collaboration with a gentleman in the Highlands of Scotland, who owns a magnificent estate, and with whom we have worked for many years. In this region, most lodge owners typically engage in stalking or hunting, locally referred to as stalking. Unfortunately, the land in these areas is ecologically depleted, often termed a “green desert.” The biodiversity is severely diminished, just red deer, minimal bird life, and sparse tree cover. However, our partner at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, drew inspiration from my father’s work at Shamwari. He has taken significant steps to rejuvenate the landscape. Planting a million trees is among his commendable efforts, aiming to reintroduce many species that once thrived in the area approximately 500 years ago. His ultimate dream is to bring back bears and wolves.

Expanding such initiatives worldwide is a significant goal for Terra Nova. My focus is on engaging with passionate individuals globally, assisting them in expediting their projects. Additionally, for those with substantial financial resources unfamiliar with ecotourism, I am eager to guide them through the transformative journey I have been on since a very young age.

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