What does your job involve?
I lead BDO’s strategy and sustainability advisory services and I am BDO’s sector head for the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector.
What services does BDO offer?
BDO offers assurance, advisory, tax and business outsourcing services to South Africa’s tourism, hospitality and leisure sector. Within BDO Advisory, we have a specialist team of strategy and sustainability advisers focused on the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector.
What makes you good at what you do?
My deep knowledge of the sector and years of experience, coupled with analytical and strategic skills.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Co-creating with our clients to help them achieve their dreams. I enjoy learning and solving problems and each problem presented by our clients is different, which requires a learning and research-based approach to strategic problem solving.
Tell me about your work on the tourism minister’s expert panel on tourism statistics, and what some of the findings were?
It was a wonderful experience to work with knowledgeable colleagues from academia and the sector in reimagining what data needed to be collected, why it should be collected, and how/where it should be collected. Unfortunately, we never got to implement any recommendations as the minister at the time was redeployed and the engagement curtailed. But what is clear is that we need accurate, up-to-date data that measures the depth and breath of the tourism industry.
How can South Africa do better as a tourist destination?
The issues we need to address include:
- A national campaign to improve brand South Africa’s image on the global stage. This goes beyond tourism. Geopolitical challenges have tarnished the country’s image.
- Tackling crime, grime and decay through meaningful public-private and community structures such as city improvement districts.
- A focus on economic development and growth, which will drive business tourism from domestic, regional and overseas markets.
- Make sure our welcoming and friendly culture is felt across the country. Everyone should appreciate the value of tourism and “put out the welcome mat” for all tourists.
What do you look for when recruiting for your team?
We seek people who have strong analytical and strategic thinking skills and are open to learning and self-development. They need to be team players, go-getters and continually striving to add value to their clients.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
There is no such thing as work-life balance. Work is an integral part of life and if you don’t enjoy want you do for a career you are in the wrong job.
