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Senior Director of Partner Success at Holibob, Martin Hawke, shares his journey in the tourism industry and offers his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the attractions sector. Martin dives deep into the logistics of the industry, discussing the importance of technology, innovation and platform consolidation. He also provides advice on how to make your product stand out and make the most of direct bookings. If you’re looking for an insider’s perspective on the tours and activities business, this is the podcast for you.

Holibob, a company that has been around for four years, is focused on being the e-commerce engine for the tours and activities sector in the travel space, and it has achieved success as a fully remote company, with employees in 14 different countries, and a focus on camaraderie with regular meetups in an office space.

Martin and the team have identified some of the biggest challenges in the attractions field as the adoption of technology. Many operators and attractions have difficulty getting their products out into the world and distributed. This is why Martin is exploring tools that can consolidate multiple platforms into one platform, to stay on top of communication. Technology is also being used to enable wider distribution of attractions and activities.

Logistical challenges also exist in the attraction world, such as finding guides and vehicles. The need for innovation and change has been highlighted since the onset of the pandemic, and Martin believes that there is now a driving force that will help the tours and activities and attractions space to really explode.

Martin believes that having an open mind and embracing new ideas and technology is key to success. Holibob helps operators build their digital strategy, increase direct bookings, and get their product in front of the right consumers without spending a lot of money. Operators interested in working with Holibob can go to the website and fill out a form. Log onto holibob.tech for more information.

Sam Chatham, the founder of Somewhere SOUTH, is a very experienced professional in the tourism industry. She began her career as an apprentice hairdresser, and then ended up taking a job as a chambermaid in a hotel. From there, she worked her way up in the food and beverage department, front of house, and other departments of the 128 bedroom, four star hotel in Jersey.

However, the most surprising move that Sam made was to South Africa in 1994. She worked in the Peninsula Hotel in Sea Point and the Winchester Mansions Hotel and thereafter founded Somewhere South, a marketing and representation company based in Cape Town. In addition, Sam and her business partner Luckmore recently combined their different skill sets to start a social media business.

Sam and Graeme discuss how the tourism industry has been resilient during the pandemic, and has taught people to appreciate more. It is important to remember that everyone is still in recovery mode, and to help each other out. This industry is a collaborative one, where colleagues often become best friends.

Sam notes that people should do what they love and love what they do, and should never forget the pandemic and the lessons it has taught them. They should empower themselves by learning new skills and knowledge. Networking is also important, as casual conversations can lead to potential revenue. People should embrace every opportunity to rise up after the pandemic and should have the drive to keep going. Sam believes that passion is very important as well as your skillset.

By tuning in to Kusa Cast, people can explore the world of tourism with leaders from all corners of the globe. It is an opportunity to learn more about the industry, and to find out how to help the tourism industry recover. Everyone should take the time to learn and understand the industry, and to appreciate the lessons the pandemic has taught us.

Sam Chatham can be reached on sam@somewheresouth.co.za.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Recorded earlier today, Adele Mackenzie of Tourism Update discussed many of the current stories in the tourism industry. We chose to release this podcast early as we discuss the latest stories and trends in the industry.

Join industry experts Adele Mackenzie and Graeme Watson for an inspiring journey as they discuss the world of tourism. Listen to their discussions of the global industry, its resilience during crisis, and how to prepare for the future.

With topics like creating jobs, eliminating visa and transportation barriers, and the importance of storytelling, this podcast is an essential resource for those interested in the tourism industry both nationally and internationally.

Adele has seen the industry through some of its toughest times. In 1994, Adele started out as a journalist for the first black community newspaper in the Free State and as a freelancer. Since then, she has risen to the forefront of the industry and become a respected figure in the tourism world.

Adele and the podcast host, Graeme Watson, discussed the importance of spreading the word about the industry and the stories that people are relating to. She also believes that the tourism industry in Southern Africa needs extra focus in order to create more jobs and small businesses. She hopes to see national government take tourism seriously and eliminate major barriers such as visas and transport licenses.

Despite the difficult times, Adele has hope for the future of the tourism industry in the country. She has learned to be flexible and adaptable in any situation and to not take things for granted. Graeme suggests that people plan for the worst and hope for the best in order to be prepared for any situation. Furthermore, the tourism industry in Southern Africa is relatively young, having only been around for about 30 years. The industry has proven its strength and resilience during the last three years of crisis.

Adele Mackenzie and Tourism Update are determined to keep the industry alive and thriving, and they do not intend to stop anytime soon. The industry has come a long way and will continue to do so with the right support.

To subscribe to Tourism Update, log onto www.tourismupdate.co.za.

Chantal Potgieter, the founder of Themba Travel, a UK-based travel company specialising in South African-inspired journeys, has been working hard to bring attention to the people and stories of South African communities. With the support of the Women in Tourism Cape Town chapter and Travel Network Group, Chantal has been able to help her partners in South Africa and to empower women in the tourism industry.

Chantal’s passion for travel was sparked by her father who took her on trips to Oudsthoorn every year. Journeys such as these and the sights and sounds she witnessed along the way, inspired Chantal to create a company that focuses on community-based tourism, volunteering holidays, and offering travellers the opportunity to experience authentic local living.

Chantal believes that the local people should be given the opportunity to tell their stories, and that South African tourism products are often inaccessible to South Africans due to their high prices. In order to make these experiences more accessible, one of the projects Chantal is working on is with a local guide from the Hammanskraal community to bring locals into the reserve to expose them to the beauty of conservation and the potential of becoming a ranger or guide.

Chantal is also passionate about connecting the indigenous people of South Africa with travellers and educating students in culture, community, and wildlife conservation. For young businesses looking to start up, Chantal recommends joining a network of people to get support and advice and taking advantage of all available resources.

Chantal’s story proves that with determination and resilience, you can make a real difference in the world of tourism.

Listeners are encouraged to tune in to Kusa Cast, subscribe, and leave a rating, as future episodes will dive into the latest trends and insights from the industry.

You can get hold of Chantal by logging on www.thembatravel.com or emailing her at chantal@thembatravel.com.

Paul de Waal, founder of the itinerary building platform Wetu, dives deep into how the travel industry is being reimagined in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll get the inside scoop on the latest trends and technologies in the travel industry, from AI, machine learning and GDPR compliance, to reducing time to get from a customer’s inquiry to the final decision. This podcast will leave you with a deepened understanding of the travel industry and the future of customer journeys.

Travel technology is constantly evolving and finding new ways to make the journey easier and more efficient for customers, and Paul de Waal is no stranger to this ever-changing landscape. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Wetu reduced their fees to help their clients while also using the time to reimagine the future of the travel industry.

“We’re also in the process of rebuilding our system and migrating data to new servers, as well as adding new features and functionality to our system”, said Paul.

Paul believes that the customer journey should be automated and that the right information should be provided at the right time. He has moved all of his business tools to take advantage of the efficiencies of having one platform. Trade shows have become more important as they provide an opportunity for face-to-face interaction, as well as a chance to interact with customers and find out what they need.

As technology advances and evolves, traditional methods of travel are being reimagined and improved. Wetu is set to help travellers make the most of their time and experience with the power of itinerary building and travel technology.

Don’t miss out on this fascinating podcast episode with Paul de Waal as he shares his insights on the hospitality industry, technology and the future of the travel industry. Tune in to Kusa Cast and get inspired!

To get in touch with Wetu, log onto www.wetu.com or email info@wetu.com.

Rudi Wagenaar, a South African entrepreneur, grew up with very little exposure to luxury travel. His parents were both school teachers, and the only taste of luxury in his household was his father smoking his pipe while driving through the Kruger National Park! Rudi has since managed to build a successful career in the luxury hospitality industry.

Rudi believes that integrity and delivering on promises is the key to success in the hospitality industry, and to this end, he has developed On-Demand Hospitality Solutions – a company that provides tailored marketing plans to clients without the need for a full-time person dedicated to their brand. He strongly believes in collaboration and the power of positive thinking as essential tools for success.

The pandemic has been a difficult time for many in the hospitality industry, with many businesses having to close their doors and employees struggling to find work. Rudi has been committed to ensuring the wellbeing of the people in the industry. He has encouraged businesses to focus on the positives and celebrate the small wins, as well as collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs to get through the pandemic.

Technology has been essential to help with productivity, and Rudi also strongly urges people to support local businesses. He uses a local business to run his CRM system, as well as creating a video endorsement platform to help people get recognition from others.

Rudi is passionate about the Handshake platform and he also strongly believes in the importance of skills recognition in the South African hospitality industry. He has done a lot of work to ensure that people have the opportunity to get back on the horse. Check out Handshake here.

Rudi believes that a successful day is one where he can make a difference and leave an impact and his dedication to the industry over the past few years has been invaluable. We can only hope that the industry will continue to grow and be successful under the guidance of entrepreneurs such as Rudi Wagenaar

Jacqui Reynolds and Graeme Watson are both experienced in the tourism industry, and their conversation on the podcast recently touched on many of the key challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Jacqui Reynolds is the managing partner of On Show Solutions and the creator of the Africa Showcase roadshow. Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Jacqui knows first-hand the power of face-to-face interactions and the importance of tailoring offerings to different markets. As such, she has developed a strategy for selecting the right people in each market to connect them with preferred suppliers.

When discussing the challenges of the last few years, Jacqui highlighted the need to rebuild her business and look after her team. She recognised the importance of modern tools to increase productivity, as well as the emergence of travel for a purpose. She also discussed the upcoming launch of Africa Showcase in Latin America and the need to target different age groups when it comes to tourism.

The conversation between Jacqui and Graeme was both insightful and engaging, offering a unique glimpse into the challenges and opportunities of the tourism industry.

Mandisa Magwaxaza is a guest on Kusa Cast podcast, where she is discussing the tourism industry and its recovery from the COVID pandemic. Mandisa grew up in a farming community in the Eastern Cape, and her first experience in the tourism industry was working at the Pumba Private Game Reserve. She then moved to Cape Town to pursue a career in tourism, starting at the Cape Grace Hotel. After working at Booking.com, Mandisa moved to Franschhoek and was then hired by Classic Portfolio, where she learned a lot.

These experiences ultimately led her to her current position as the founder of Molo Mhambi Relations, which focuses on helping businesses tell their stories, grow more relevant, and stay true to their African roots. This includes providing guidance on how to create experiences that are both culturally sensitive and conscious of biases. Mandisa believes that businesses should have values that are aspired to by everyone in the business, and that African travel should be accessible to Africans.

Mandisa is also a presenter on Algoa FM in South Africa on Saturdays from 10:00 p.m. to 02:00 a.m., and is leveraging indigenous knowledge to create experiences that can be revenue streams for the community, owned by the community. She is offering a free 30-minute consult to those in need of business advice.

For Mandisa, it all comes back to her roots. She is working to increase representation of travel on radio in South Africa and return to her community of Seven Fountains to ensure that tourism benefits the community. While technology and digitization can foster human connection and reach more people, it is tenacity that will help entrepreneurs make the most of their opportunities.

As Mandisa said in her podcast interview, “We underestimate what we do for a living and that’s why it keeps drawing us back because of the power and the joy that we feel and create.” For more information on Mandisa and her work, you can contact her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook.

The pandemic has been a difficult time for business owners across the world and survival has meant having to make drastic changes in the way businesses operate. Kevin Watson, the Chief Operating Officer of the First Equity Group and a director of SATIB, the tourism insurance brokers, believes that one of the key factors to business continuity during this time is looking after staff.

As he explains, this doesn’t have to be purely monetary, but looking after employees and engaging with them in meaningful ways is essential for any business. Kevin also believes that investing in the right tools such as Asana and Power BI can help businesses become more efficient and productive, creating a better working environment for all.

Kevin also has advice for entrepreneurs looking to get their businesses off the ground. He believes that having a unique offering is essential, as is having the right support network in place to help navigate the business world. He also stresses the importance of getting your thinking work done before 09:00 in the morning so that you can make the most of the day.

Finally, Kevin is keen to promote SATIB, the tourism insurance brokers, as a viable option for businesses looking to protect themselves. For those interested, they can visit the website at www.satib.co.za to find out more.

It is clear that the pandemic has been a difficult time for business owners, but with the right support and tools, it is possible to thrive and come out on top.

It was an interesting conversation between Craig Drysdale, Director of Sales and Marketing at ITT Inspirations Travel and Tours, and Graeme Watson on the podcast last week. ITT specialises in inbound tourism to Southern Africa and works with tour operators from around the world, as well as outbound destinations such as Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Scandinavia, and cruises.

Craig has been in the tourism industry for nearly 30 years and the COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest challenge Craig and the entire industry have faced. Despite the struggles, the industry has shown great camaraderie and support during this difficult time, with competitors helping each other out. Craig believes the spirit of family has been present in this sector since its inception, and it has only been reinforced by the pandemic. He says that “tourism has always been a very family orientated industry” and that “some great friendships have formed and great support going forward”.

Craig shared his daily schedule, saying he gets up between 05:00 and 07:00 to tackle emails. He also advised on the importance of work-life balance. ITT recently relaunched and rebranded their logo and website. Working from home and the office is also becoming more popular with Craig saying that “productivity and happiness increase by 30-40%”. This concept of “less is more” has been embraced by the industry, with businesses taking up less office space and reducing paper usage.

Domestic tourism was a saviour during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Craig believes that the industry should also focus on selling Southern Africa to South Africans. He has also been involved in the National Department of Tourism’s tour operator incubation program, which has helped 44 SMEs survive the pandemic.

Ultimately, Craig believes that the time for talking is over and that action needs to be taken in order to hit the 2030 tourist numbers. He says “if we’re going to do it, we must do it now and do it fast”. With the help of the industry’s great camaraderie, this goal is within reach.