Page 4 - KZN Business Sense - Vol6 No4 eBook

Mbali Msomi Nokuthula Hazel Bond Nomcebo Langa
KZN WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY, TRAVEL

AND TOURISM

he announcement by their services at trade shows such as Accommodation & Leisure was UNIQUE RURAL-TOWNSHIP- be the brand ambassador of my
President Ramaphosa to Africa’s Travel Indaba and the East then established, a three-star TOURISM EXPERIENCES own company.”
Tmove to Alert Level 2 of the Coast Travel & Adventure Show. graded establishment providing Bitten by the travel bug
COVID-19 risk adjusted strategy accommodation, meals, shuttle since childhood, Nomcebo Developing a new business has
as from Tuesday, 18 August 2020 Msomi said she loved travelling service and a venue for small Langa had the rare privilege been a challenge for Langa but
marked a significant leap and and exploring new places and this private functions. She manages of experiencing a variety of through consultation with other
milestone for the tourism sector. is what inspired her to open her six employees. cultures locally and at tourist successful tourism entrepreneurs,
Whether you’re seeking adventure, own travel agency. attractions around the world. strong business ethics and sound
romance, luxury or safari, KZN is “The idea is to encourage South “Having funds readily available, business policies, she has managed
ready for you. Africans to explore amazing South access to markets and now the Born and raised in a family- to keep her business active even on
Covid-19 pandemic have been
quiet days.
Africa and enjoy the scenery in oriented home in Hammarsdale,
In celebration of Women’s Month, challenges in my business. she was taught to have respectable
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal presents their own back yard. However, it was all made possible norms and values which kept her “New strategic business
some of the leading women in the “Our services to locals include with exploring and learning new focused to pursue having her own models aligned with new market
province’s hospitality, travel and girls’ weekend away, boys’ sports trends in the tourism market, business in the future. segmentations and new ways
tourism industry. weekend, family bonding holidays educating myself about improving of doing business had to be
implemented during the lockdown.
and couples’ retreats. customer experience and new While burning the midnight
A POSITIVE OUTLOOK staff development and training oil and raising her only “SMMEs are advised to measure
“It is about appreciating the
Despite challenges she faces as relationships with one another and sessions,” said Bond. daughter as a single parent, customer services and success of
a small travel services and tour enjoying the scenery with family She said women are often Langa qualified with a Masters’ their business through customer
operator, Durban-based Mbali and friends.” portrayed as inferior and degree in Taxation from the retention and loyalty, customer
Msomi who owns and manages incapable, especially when it North West University. satisfaction improvement and
Leisure Holidays will not give up. She hopes to grow her business comes to business. She believes Langa said: “I later exposed brand awareness,” she said.
into a fully-fledged destination
She said she faced opposition management company. in continuing to only focus on myself to business models and She praises Tourism KZN
from companies and organisations giving of her best daily to build a customer behaviour for six years for showcasing her company’s
who are not willing to use her Meanwhile she has urged successful business. at Ernst and Young, one of the products and services at Tourism
company as a supplier because developing SMMEs in the tourism “I advise women to have a largest professional services Indaba, World Travel Market
she is still small - she has only one industry to be patient and realise good solid support structure, to networks in the world and Africa and tourism expos in the
employee - and has not been in that it takes time to develop a brand understand what motivates you at thereafter during 18 months Netherlands, Russia, China, United
existence for a long time. and a business that is recognisable. work and to have a passion for the with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Kingdom and Kenya.
“Accreditation and becoming a FOLLOWING HER DREAMS work you do. Johannesburg.” The significant 76 percent of 1000
member of various industry bodies “You must identify your Her numerous visits to Thrills employees are women.
becomes difficult where there is a Nokuthula Hazel Bond, the target market and focus on international destinations She advises women that research
minimum turnover requirement. owner of Liapolis Accommodation your needs and expectations. convinced her that she must get and education is the key elements
I am still struggling to overcome & Leisure, is thankful to Tourism Join industry organisations involved in the tourism industry. in striving to have your own
procurement hurdles. KZN for the opportunities she has such as the National Thus, she opened her own tourism
had to participate in the Tourism business called 1000 Thrills in business. Attending business
“However, I am not ready Indaba for three consecutive years. Accommodation Association Hillcrest, which develops and tourism seminars and conferences
to throw in the towel. Being a of South Africa (NAA) and packages unique rural-township- expands your knowledge in order
wanderlust myself, I feel the need This exhibition allowed her to your local Community Tourism tourism experiences. to build your business. Develop
to help and assist other travellers in expand her tourism industry Organisation (CTO) as they will smart ways to involve customers
finding their dream holidays. networks and marketing keep you updated on legislative She said the lack of through professional tourism
opportunities. changes and on other important transformation in tourism in South packages and new ideas.
“Leisure Holidays is all about information.” Africa allowed her business to
inspiring individuals to leave their Bond who was born and raised showcase authentic tourism and Langa’s continuous determination
comfort zone and explore new in KwaMashu township, north of The married mother enjoys her township experiences and offer a and strong ethical business skills
places and new cultures whilst Durban, qualified with a Bachelor time hiking, taking long walks, unique lifestyle to domestic and pushed 1000 Thrills to succeed
having lots of fun and adventures,” of Social Science degree from the reading and is passionate about international tourists. especially after the announcement
said Msomi, a mother of four. University of KwaZulu-Natal. training and developing people. of level 2 lockdown which saw an
She explored many avenues Bond plans to handover the She said the nature of tourism influx and demand from tourists’
She is full of praise for business was previously a male- bookings for the next several weeks
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal for the and realised she wanted management responsibility to one dominated business. to come. 
opportunities provided for SMMEs financial freedom and to of her staff members while she
such as Leisure Holidays to exhibit leave a legacy for her three focuses on establishing a training “I had to put on my big girl
children to inherit. Liapolis academy in the near future. pants and work extremely hard to www.zulu.org.za

4