Inge Dobihal of Austria Connection passed away in Johannesburg on November 8, after a long illness.
Inge was a central pillar of tour operator Austria Connection and was much-loved and respected by those who knew her. She had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Austria, Central and Eastern Europe, including the history of virtually any Central or Eastern European kingdom, principality or city-state anyone would care to name.
Born in Vienna, Inge came with her husband Peter to South Africa on honeymoon in 1966, on the ship Europe. Inge later met with the Austrian Trade Commission in Johannesburg and started running the Austrian Tourist Office, and made a great success of it, so much so that it became the second biggest overseas supplier for the Austrian Winter Tourism Season by the late 70s.
In 2000 the Austrian Tourism Office closed and Inge and Peter started Austria Connection, which they together ran successfully over the past 20 years, specialising not only in Austria but in many Central and Eastern European countries.
The combination of Inge’s passion for travel and history and her personal experience of the countries and products sold by Austria Connections made it unique as a specialised tour operator. Every year the Dobihals would venture together to some of the more undiscovered sections of a few European countries, which they wanted to know better, and return with new routes and products for South African agents to sell. Today Austria Connection’s portfolio extends to Austria, Croatia,
Czech Republic, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and Slovenia, offering coach tours and cruises.
Said Mary Shiletto, board member of Thompsons Travel: “Inge was so incredibly proud of her heritage and the country of her birth. In true Austrian style, she showed attention to detail in all the information she shared so enthusiastically with her travel colleagues, which demonstrated her love of her beautiful country. Condolences to her family. MHDSRIP.”
Mary Reynolds of Reynolds Travel Centre told Travel News Inge was a great Ambassador for Austria and Croatia. “Inge was an icon in the industry. She had a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her energy never failed her and she exuded enthusiasm and passion for her Austria Connection,” said Mary.
Michi Messner, Qantas’ Regional Manager Africa, worked extensively with Inge when she (Michi) was with Austrian Airlines. Said Michi: “We collaborated for many years during my time at Austrian Airlines. There is nothing Inge did not know about Austria. Every corner of every small or large town - she knew them like the back of her hand. Her knowledge of her home country was incomparable and she promoted it with such passion and grandeur that if I were not an Austrian myself, I would have wanted to be one. Our industry has lost a colleague and friend. Liebe Inge, aufwiedersehen!”
Inge was 77 years old. She is survived by Peter.
