10 South African Entrepreneurs Innovating In Tourism
10 South African Entrepreneurs Innovating In Tourism. These entrepreneurs are contributing to the diversification and modernization of the tourism industry in South Africa through various innovative approaches, from technology and digital marketing to sustainable practices and cultural immersion. Here are ten South African entrepreneurs who are making significant innovations in the tourism industry:
Brett Dyason
He is the founder of Hepstar. Hepstar is a travel ancillary aggregator and recommendation engine focused on optimal and personalised packaging of ancillary products for customers of online travel providers. Its engine uses anonymous historical and empirical data collected from the travel booking process, including contextual and behavioural data of customers, in order to profile customers and respond with products that are relevant and have a higher probability of being purchased by different profiles.
Lebo Malepa
The late Lebo Malepa pioneered township tourism in Soweto through his company, Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers. The company provides an authentic local experience for tourists and contributing to community development.
Siphesihle Penny Ndlela
Siphesihle Penny Ndlela credits her upbringing for igniting the love of travel as well as entrepreneurship. She started her company Soul Traveller in 2013 as an international faith-based traveling experience and is now offering six domestic routes.
Siviwe Mbinda
Founded and owned by Siviwe Mbinda, a Langa local, Siviwe Tours aims to introduce the true face and culture of Langa to a wider audience. Unlike many other tour companies, Siviwe Tours is a locally owned and operated business, providing employment and opportunity to local residents.
Nombulelo Guliwe
Nombulelo Guliwe is the CEO of South African Tourism. South African Tourism is the tourism marketing arm of the South African government. Simply put, its job is to promote the country domestically and internationally, whether for leisure, business or events tourism.
James Fernie
Uthando (Love) South Africa is an award-winning Fair Trade in Tourism certified non- profit organization. It creates a unique link between tourism and community development projects. As an award-winning model of responsible tourism and traveling philanthropy, Uthando is drawing on an extensive network of cherished partnerships in tourism and community development, with the ultimate goal of linking these two sectors by a myriad of innovative, sincere and meaningful ways. The program was established in 2007 by social entrepreneur James Fernie.
James Hedley
James Hedley is the co-founder of TurnStay. TurnStay thrives at the intersection of fintech and travel, championing hassle-free experiences in travel payments. The company’s commitment is unwavering: providing clients with seamless access to a comprehensive global payment infrastructure.
Bheki Dube
Bheki Dube is the founder of Curiocity, a network of African hybrid hotels, sharing an authentic experience of this continent, one city at a time. The company wants to connect the curious traveller to what is exciting, inspiring and real in whichever location it is in. As an accessible, design hostel offering the company gives travellers the chance to stay in spaces that are not only affordable but also amazingly designed too.
Liziwe Ngcokoto
Liziwe Ngcokoto is the founder of Liziwe’s Guest House. Since opening it’s doors in 2005, this township accommodation has managed to develop a great reputation among both international and domestic travellers. The company also offers township walking tours which is a favorite amongst its guests.
