About Umlingo

ABOUT UMLINGO TRAVEL PR:

Umlingo specializes in providing tailored, affordable public relations services for owner-run, sustainable hotels and lodges in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Founded by Claire Roadley, who brings over 25+ years of experience in travel PR, Umlingo offers flexible packages starting from just two days a month, making professional PR accessible for smaller businesses. Services include media outreach, press trip organization and strategic storytelling, all aimed at enhancing visibility, reputation and engagement. With strong, longstanding relationships with the key UK travel writers, editors and publishers, and in collaboration with the various tourism boards, airlines, tour operators, reps and other PRs for Africa and/or Indian Ocean islands, Umlingo is committed to creating impactful narratives that resonate with audiences and drive bed night bookings.  Please checkout our showcase of recent coverage.

“Umlingo” is a very versatile word…
In Zulu it means Magic.
”Lingo” also means words or language.
Thus … Creating Magic with Words

Travel, and especially a safari, is probably the closest thing we have to
magic on planet Earth…

Fresh Shoots…

Umlingo was a new start-up business born in the UK from the Covid-19 pandemic. Mother Nature teaches us a lot about life and renewed hope. There is nothing quite like seeing fresh green shoots growing from the ashes after the first rains. All storms eventually run out of rain - making way for rainbows and new beginnings. This is ours.

Umlingo is proudly African when it comes to its clients. Most PR agencies and professionals have clients worldwide, but we prefer to focus where our roots and hearts lie.

Well-Worn Boots…

Although Umlingo is fairly new, founder Claire Roadley has over 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, copywriting and social media for the tourism industry.

Claire worked for Ethos Marketing - one of the UK’s original and most respected representation companies - for nearly 20 years, representing iconic tourism brands including The Blue Train, Serena Hotels, MalaMala Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve and Newmark Hotels amongst many others. We also represented Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, a regional Tourist Board and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for many years.

Ethos also represented some boutique hotels in Europe in Italy, Spain and Madeira as well as a beach resort in the British Virgin Islands.

Before that Claire worked for a remote elephant park in KwaZulu-Natal called Tembe - so she offers experience ranging from world-renowned luxury brands to intimate, owner-run properties totally “off the beaten track”.

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

— Nelson Mandela