Sonto Mayise has taken over the reins to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the most sought-after travel and conference destinations in the world.
Mayise has been appointed acting chief convention bureau head following the recent departure of veteran tourism expert James Seymour from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN).
A dynamic, strategic thinker she is full of energy to place KZN on the global map.
Mayise said she was determined to ensure that KZN and Durban in particular remain a priority destination for business tourism.
She describes her role as one in which “you mainly create relationships”.
The bureau is a partnership initiative of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the eThekwini Municipality to promote the meeting or business tourism services of KZN and Durban.
Mayise said in terms of the number of conferences hosted, Durban and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre remained the busiest venues in the country with strong competition coming from Cape Town.
Inception
Since its inception in 2010, the bureau has attracted more than 30 conferences whose economic impact was more than R1billion.
Mayise said that in terms of attracting big events the priority should be on getting business from the rest of Africa. Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia are currently key competitors for KZN.
“It’s quite interesting and healthy competition. If you go to Kigali and you see what they are doing it’s quite amazing.”
Mayise said: “Something remarkable has now happened. Rwanda has flourished. There is a new-found mindset to build the country.
“As a province we have endured many changes over the decades. We can learn from this.”
She said cementing KZN’s position as a viable tourism offering was critical and must be done with both the tourist and businessman in mind.
“We have to meet the actual need or needs of different kinds of visitors.
“This is often achieved by a clear positioning statement or brand message and by creating a destination that offers all of it,” said Mayise.
She has been in the industry for several years and said she had initially enrolled for a commerce degree at university because she wanted to be an accountant.
However, during an information session at the University of Zululand and with the encouragement and guidance of Professor Thandi Nzama, she ended up switching to tourism which she passed with distinction and eventually even received a scholarship to do a Master’s degree overseas.
She said it was through the encouragement of a woman that she was able to achieve the many things she has to date.
“There are many more opportunities in the industry today and as women we must break the barriers and support each other.”
She said part of her role in the bureau was to get more young people into business tourism.
Mayise, who was recently awarded the Premier’s Discretionary Award at the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards, was recently also nominated for the Top 40 Women in MICE to be held on Thursday in Joburg.
Source: iol.co.za
