Tag kusa cast

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

The African tourism industry has seen an avalanche of innovation in recent years, as more and more countries are beginning to appreciate the value of tourism and its contribution to their economies. One leader in this effort is Kwayke Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners, who seeks to further increase the involvement of local leaders, businesses, and youth in the industry.

Kwayke has spearheaded the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, an annual platform where both private and public sector leaders come together to debate issues, share insights, create awareness, and advocate for the industry. The Forum has been held in Ghana, Botswana, and Rwanda, with the goal of improving the industry’s competitiveness, advocating for the removal of barriers, and promoting intra-Africa travel. It has also featured panelists from America, universities, and has focused on educating Africans on hospitality management.

In Rwanda, Kwayke has worked on the African Tourism Innovation Hub, an initiative to boost youth involvement and foster skill development across the industry. He has also championed “Botswana First,” a concept to use Botswana as a case study to guide other countries in implementing initiatives.

Domestic and regional tourism are of paramount importance for the industry, and reconfiguring products and pricing strategies to meet the needs of local tourists is necessary. South Africa, for example, sees 70% of its arrivals come from the diaspora, yet not much is done to invest in the country.

Kwayke has some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the tourism industry: “My humble advice is always good to have a mentor. Don’t try and swim on your own because you’ll be eaten by sharks.” Furthermore, it is important to be passionate and to start small, engaging with people on social media in order to build a successful tourism business.

It is clear that Kwayke and Africa Tourism Partners are invested in making sure the African tourism industry is on the right path to success. With the right support and investment, the industry can be an even bigger contributor to the African continent.