Page 43 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Nhlanhla Litabe

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY and prepare them for the real world,” she said. “Even if
Your Pass to Travel they don’t stay with us, as we have limited space for new
From the outset, Nhlanhla wanted Your Pass to Travel to
stand apart from traditional travel agencies. “My dream employees, they’ll be equipped to walk into any job.”
hlanhla Litabe is the founder and chief has always been to incorporate everything travel-related She also wants to increase focus on domestic tourism.
N executive officer of Your Pass to Travel, a and make it a seamless process for clients,” she said. “We “There’s so much beauty in South Africa and so much
want to make it easy – you choose what you want, you
company that has become a trusted name in
potential. We want to showcase our country and show
travel management since its establishment in 2021. With pay, and you just pack.” the world how it should be done,” she said.
14 years in the industry and the personal experience Unlike many companies that outsource visa and
of visiting more than 60 countries, Nhlanhla is a travel documentation services, her company manages every Nhlanhla’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was
professional who embodies the company’s slogan, step internally. This hands-on approach has become a a top consultant several times in her previous company
“Access the World.” hallmark of the brand. “We are the experts, not you,” she and was recognised as a top seller in southern Africa
by an international tour company. Under her leadership,
“Your Pass to Travel is a management company that said with a smile. “And we want to make travel easy and Your Pass to Travel was the first runner-up at the 2024
assists clients to access the world, whether domestically accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.” Durban Tourism Awards in the Emerging Entrepreneur
or internationally,” she explained. “We deal with flights, Nhlanhla believes that authenticity is essential in the category and was named as a finalist as well as listed
hotels, guided tours, and I also specialise in cruising. travel industry. “There’s a difference between a travel among the Top 20 Brands at the KZN Top Business
Anything travel-related – that’s what we do.” agent and a travelling agent,” she explained. “A travel Awards 2025.
agent sits in an office. A travelling agent actually goes out
Nhlanhla reflected on where her passion for travel In the future, Nhlanhla aims to be among the top five
began. She recalled, “When I was still in the banking there, experiences destinations, and advises clients from brands in the travel business in South Africa.
industry, I would walk through shopping centres with real-life knowledge.”
my family and find myself drawn to travel agencies. I To bridge this gap, she ensures that her consultants travel WORDS OF ADVICE
would go in just to do research because something regularly. “We invest a lot in our consultants by funding Running an international travel business leaves little
about the industry fascinated me.” their travel experiences so they can share genuine insights room for rest. “I am a very busy lady. If you catch me,
with clients,” she said. “One of our employees has been to
She explained that her inspiration did not come from five countries since joining the company three years ago. grab me with both hands because I’m always out of the
a single person but rather from her upbringing. “From That’s how we make sure we live and breathe what we sell.” country,” she laughed. “It’s hard to find balance, but my
an early age, my family exposed us to travelling and family has been a pillar of strength.”
encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones. That’s OVERCOMING CHALLENGES She credits her siblings and her live-in helper for helping
where my love for travel and nature truly began,” her manage family life. “Recently, I’ve tried to switch off
she said. “I’m a Sagittarian, and we’re known for our Starting the business was not without obstacles. Initially when something isn’t urgent,” she shared. “I’ve learned
adventurous spirit. I think that sense of adventure has designed as a home-based and mobile service, Nhlanhla to prioritise family time. And I’m happy to say I’ve found
always been part of who I am.” was persuaded to rent office space, which proved costly.
“We lost a lot of money because it wasn’t profitable for us,” a partner – life feels normal.”
Her entrepreneurial journey began at the height of the she admitted. “But in business, you take risks, you learn, Nhlanhla encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to stay
Covid-19 pandemic. Having previously worked for a and you grow.” true to themselves. “Don’t compromise your values or
travel management company, she had already gained Finding the right people for her agency has also been sell your soul,” she advised. “Run your race at your own
valuable industry experience. When retrenchments challenging. “You can’t clone yourself,” she said. “You can pace and believe your dreams are valid, even if there’s
struck during the lockdown, she seized the opportunity only train and mould people and hope they stay. But with just a one per cent chance of success.”
to follow her dream. “I just took the decision to go for the right tools and strategies we’re getting there, slowly
it – to chase my dreams. Here I am today, and I’ve never we keep on growing.” She concluded with a Zulu saying close to her heart:
looked back,” she said. “I’m very passionate about travel. “Hamba ngamandla akho Gideon, ungaboleki izinto
I live it and breathe it. The first question my clients ask One of Nhlanhla’s ambitions is to establish a travel academy zabantu,” which she translated as, “Run with the power
when they get hold of me is ‘are you in the country?’,” for young people passionate about tourism. “We want to vested in you. Don’t borrow from others, because nothing
she says with a laugh. train students, especially from high schools and universities, comes for free.”

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