On Friday November 23, The Blue Train launched its new brand repositioning, the first in over 20 years, augmenting the brand to meet the evolving needs of the discerning traveller, and launching its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) offering for businesses. The repositioning was launched at a formal gala dinner designed to mimic a typical Private Charter aboard The Blue Train travelling on ‘A Trip To Nowhere’ in Pretoria.

The iconic brand’s new positioning is captured in the statement, ‘Surrender to the Luxury of Slow’, a meditation on time, and how for the discerning traveller, time is the greatest luxury. The positioning anchors The Blue Train as a prime choice of experience for luxury travellers and businesses’ MICE needs, and places it among luxury brand experiences that exceed luxury rail. With the new positioning, The Blue Train goes beyond its recognition – ten-time consecutive winner of the most luxurious train in Africa and three-time consecutive winner of the world’s most luxurious train at the World Travel Awards – and focuses on resonating with people to meet their evolving needs.

Speaking at the formal gala dinner, Transnet’s Acting Group Chief Executive, Tau Morwe, said The Blue Train “occupies a very special place in the hearts and minds of many in our country and around the world. Through the years, countless tourists to our beautiful country – from movie stars to presidents and prime ministers – and of course, our beloved Madiba – have all sung praises of this singular asset to our tourism industry… It is vitally important therefore, that we enhance The Blue Train’s iconic appeal to extend its market to further reaches – and target new markets in doing so.”

The repositioning, which provides new perspective to all marketing and sales interventions introduces this national treasure as a venue option for business use and reimagines its offering to both new and returning leisure travellers. Businesses can hire the train for private charters around Pretoria on ‘A Trip to Nowhere,’ on the Pretoria to Sun City route, on the Pretoria to Durban route, the main route which is Pretoria to Cape Town, and other destinations within South Africa’s rail network.

The Blue Train Executive Manager, Vincent Monyake delivers the new positioning.

Vincent Monyake, The Blue Train’s Executive Manager, in his welcome note at the gala dinner said: “In the business of luxury, we build on heritage and legacy. The Blue Train has been a part of the South African experience for 72 years… and so this repositioning, the first in over 20 years, is an audacious task that builds on the legacy of a national treasure, whose opulence and elegance continues to not only stand the test of time, but also challenge and push the category of luxury worldwide.

“The repositioning was a confluence of many things: appreciating the zeitgeist of our time as captured in the experience economy, listening to our guests’ and clients’ feedback after boarding The Blue Train, and aligning internally with our operations. The experience economy speaks to the value in tangible life experiences and people’s sense of urgency with experiencing life, and our guests have echoed that time and again, wanting the trips to take longer. Operationally, more time allows us to finesse our offering even more. So, this reimagination, ‘Surrender to the luxury of slow’ resonates with our guests and clients and, internally, gives us the opportunity to keep pushing ourselves to better our offering,” he concluded.

In this meditation on time, the finer details that have continued to be the epitome of The Blue Train experience continue to exist. Businesses can take advantage of the gourmet food freshly prepared on board and served in the Dining Car; the fine liquors and handmade cigars available in the Club Car; the versatile Observation Car that doubles up as a boardroom and as the dance floor for business events, and where needed, the De Luxe and Luxury Suites with all-round butler services.

South African Tourism Head of Global Trade, Bradley Brouwer (far right) with Transnet Executives.

Speaking at the gala dinner, South African Tourism’s Head of Global Affairs, Bradley Brouwer, said: “The Blue Train is an iconic expression of South African and African tourist splendour, for guests from Africa and the rest of the world, and it remains a pivotal landmark that continues to entice travellers to South Africa. Therefore, this National Treasure, along with South African Tourism and other players in tourism, carry a mandate to maintain South Africa’s prestige as a prime destination to the world, and, in the process, grow our economy.”

Monyake echoed Brouwer’s remarks on the National Treasure’s place in South Africa’s tourism landscape: “As one of the flagship tourism experiences, we take this challenge to heart and we appreciate that our purpose as The Blue Train rallies in tandem with our contemporaries at SA Tourism and other national treasures that draw new audiences and compel regular travellers to return.”

The guest of honour at the gala dinner was legendary South Africa artist, Dr. Esther Mahlangu. At the Departure Lounge and on the train, some of her artworks were shown, and the evening’s speakers paid homage to her catalogue and her place in the global art scene. Introducing her to the guests, Director at Melrose Gallery, Craig Mark, said: “Dr Mahlangu and The Blue Train are both national treasures who take incredible South African stories to global audiences. Dr Mahlangu celebrates The Blue Train's repositioning as a job well done.”

The gala dinner was hosted in collaboration with a number of partners. The collaborative partner was Daytona, custodians of Rolls Royce, Tag Heuer and other luxury brands. Rolls Royce had on show, the Rolls Royce Ghost, one of its luxury sedans, and watch brands present included the German timepiece brand, A. Lange & Söhne and the well-known Tag Heuer. Boschendal Wines, along with Bacardi, provided the event with a range of fine wines from the well-loved South Africa vineyard, and spirits for cocktails in the Club Lounge and Lounge Car. L’Oreal, provided two make-up boutiques on board, giving guests touch-ups throughout the night.

At the close of the event, Transnet General Manager in the office of the Chief Operations Officer, Ali Motala, said: “Surrender to the luxury of slow is an invitation to businesses to consider The Blue Train as a venue for all their business eventing needs. We hope to see local and global captains of industry continue to collaborate with this National Treasure, affording themselves the time they need to contemplate and make informed business decisions.”

About The Blue Train:

The Blue Train is a business unit of Transnet Freight Rail, a division of Transnet SOC Limited and has been in existence since 1946. It offers an unmatched, luxurious way of experiencing some of Southern Africa’s magnificent landscapes and landmarks. On this train, luxury assumes a new dimension, and guests are taken on a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance where spectacular scenery will stir imagination and luxurious comfort will soothe your mind, body and soul.

Please visit www.bluetrain.co.za for further information.