Latest news with #TshwaneTourismAwards
The Star
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Spotlight on the judges: Behind the scenes of the Tshwane Tourism Awards
Staff Reporter | Published 3 hours ago With the highly anticipated Tshwane Tourism Awards set to take place on 16 August 2025 at Batter Boys Village, excitement is building across the capital. This prestigious event will honour excellence in local tourism, shining a spotlight on the people and places that make Tshwane a world-class destination. But behind every award handed out on the night is a process that is as rigorous as it is fair. The Tshwane Tourism Awards are not a popularity contest. They are rooted in credibility and guided by a structured, evidence-based approach. Each participating business was asked to complete a detailed self-assessment aligned to four core categories: Community Contribution & Sustainability; Internal Environment & Team Culture; Industry Collaboration & Engagement; and Business Growth & Improvement. Finalists were then invited to submit supporting documentation, including policies and performance records, project photos and testimonials to provide tangible evidence of their achievements. This is the material currently under review by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected professionals in tourism, academia and industry operations. Our finalists include some of the absolute best in our city (and even the country!) so judging is done independently, professionally and confidentially. We are proud to introduce the four judges who have been selected and were so kind to offer their time, expertise and discernment to this year's awards: Dr Swart is a certified meeting professional with a degree in leadership performance and change. She chairs the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism and has co-authored five books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications. A sought-after speaker and leader in hospitality education, she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality and a Top 5 Woman in Leadership in Africa. In 2024, she received AAXO's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry. Sibulele brings over two decades of experience in tourism and destination marketing. Formerly with KZN Tourism Authority and now a senior leader within the City of Tshwane, he has championed destination branding, partnership engagement, and the inclusion of youth and SMMEs in the tourism space. His passion lies in building platforms that empower emerging tourism talent and grow the domestic travel economy. Dr Sifolo is a leading researcher and academic, holding a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on tourism supply chains and stakeholder engagement. She is an NRF Y2-rated researcher, a judge for national entrepreneurship awards, and an expert advisor on regional innovation initiatives. Her work advocates for inclusive tourism models, value chain integration and sustainable development across Africa. With over 20 years in senior tourism roles, Sean is a seasoned strategist with experience in hospitality standards, destination management, and operations. Currently with TGCSA, he helps maintain and promote service excellence in graded establishments across South Africa. He has worked with leading brands like Legacy Hotels and Tourvest, and is well respected for his mentorship and commitment to quality and growth in the industry. These four judges bring a balance of academic rigour, practical insight, and industry leadership to the process, ensuring that every finalist is assessed fairly and every winner has earned their moment in the spotlight. As Tshwane prepares to celebrate its tourism champions, we extend our sincere thanks to this panel for their professional contribution, and to all our finalists for their courage, effort and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you on 16 August — it's time to shine.
IOL News
21-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Spotlight on the judges: Behind the scenes of the Tshwane Tourism Awards
With the highly anticipated Tshwane Tourism Awards set to take place on 16 August 2025 at Batter Boys Village, excitement is building across the capital. This prestigious event will honour excellence in local tourism, shining a spotlight on the people and places that make Tshwane a world-class destination. But behind every award handed out on the night is a process that is as rigorous as it is fair. The Tshwane Tourism Awards are not a popularity contest. They are rooted in credibility and guided by a structured, evidence-based approach. Each participating business was asked to complete a detailed self-assessment aligned to four core categories: Community Contribution & Sustainability; Internal Environment & Team Culture; Industry Collaboration & Engagement; and Business Growth & Improvement. Finalists were then invited to submit supporting documentation, including policies and performance records, project photos and testimonials to provide tangible evidence of their achievements. This is the material currently under review by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected professionals in tourism, academia and industry operations. Our finalists include some of the absolute best in our city (and even the country!) so judging is done independently, professionally and confidentially. We are proud to introduce the four judges who have been selected and were so kind to offer their time, expertise and discernment to this year's awards:
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Celebrating Excellence: Finalists announced for the Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025
Tickets are now on sale for this year's Tshwane Tourism Awards Tickets to the entertainment-packed event that includes fine dining are already on sale and include a red carpet arrival and a delicious dinner experience. The winners will be selected and celebrated at a glamorous event on August 16 at Batter Boys Village in Montana. Following a robust scoring and judging process by industry leaders with rich experience across different areas of our tourism ecosystem, the finalists for the Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025 have been announced. The Tshwane Tourism Awards have been established to recognise, celebrate and elevate the tourism sector in South Africa's capital city, the only one in the world that has a Big 5 game reserve. More than just a celebration, the awards are part of a long-term vision to inspire excellence, build stronger industry connections, and set a new standard for tourism in Tshwane – one that is collaborative, sustainable and proudly local. The awards seek to honour businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in shaping memorable visitor experiences, growing with intention, and uplifting the communities they operate in. More than trophies and titles, this platform provides industry-wide visibility, professional affirmation and shared motivation to drive Tshwane's tourism offering forward together. The entrants are evaluated across four core pillars of tourism excellence: Community Contribution & Sustainability – recognising impact beyond the business; Internal Environment & Team Culture – rewarding people-first leadership and staff development; Industry Collaboration & Engagement – highlighting those who work well with others; and Business Growth & Improvement – acknowledging consistent innovation and measurable growth. An experienced panel of independent judges were selected to review the entries. These professionals bring a wealth of insight from various sectors: tourism, business, hospitality and development, and are committed to a fair, evidence-based evaluation process. This year's theme is Welcome to the Wildest Capital City in the World — so guests can expect to dress to impress and enjoy a night of wildly fun networking, wildly delicious food and wildly wonderful people. Of course, the theme also refers to the wildly untamed nature reserves within the Tshwane metro. For tickets, finalist updates and more information, visit:
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025: Shining a Light on Excellence in the Wildest Capital City
Finalists for the 2025 edition will be announced soon, following a robust scoring and judging process by industry leaders with rich experience across different areas of our tourism ecosystem. Winners will be celebrated at a glamorous event on 16 August at Batter Boys Village in Montana. Tickets to the event include a red carpet arrival, industry networking and a delicious dinner experience. The 2025 Awards focus on recognising excellence across four key pillars: Community Contribution & Sustainability, Internal Environment & Team Culture, Industry Collaboration & Engagement and Business Growth & Improvement. More than just accolades, the awards are a platform to inspire best practices, uplift the sector and promote a safe, thriving and welcoming city. In a city filled with creativity, diversity and remarkable experiences, the Tshwane Tourism Awards stand as a proud celebration of local achievement. Organised by the Tshwane Tourism Association, these annual awards honour outstanding tourism products including hotels, attractions, conference and events venues and many more that contribute to the vibrancy of South Africa's capital. We organise various annual events like the TTA GMs Meeting 2025. Our hotel general managers were hosted in style at Capital Hotel School this year. This year's theme is Welcome to the Wildest Capital City in the World — so guests can expect to dress to impress and enjoy a night of wildly fun networking, wildly delicious food and wildly wonderful people. Of course the theme also refers to our wildly untamed nature reserves within the Tshwane metro. 'These awards are rooted in our love for Tshwane,' says Susan Marais, Chairperson of the TTA. 'As South Africa's capital city, we carry the responsibility and the privilege of showcasing the very best our hospitality industry has to offer. These awards reflect our heart, our hope and our commitment to building a destination that is inclusive, innovative and truly unforgettable.' With support from key stakeholders and our amazing sponsors (listed on the website), and dedicated media partners such as Pretoria News, the Tshwane Tourism Awards continue to grow in reach and relevance. The TTA invites all hospitality professionals, stakeholders and industry suppliers to attend the awards evening, celebrate their peers and be part of a community that uplifts and collaborates. There are also still opportunities for sponsors to come on board and support this meaningful recognition of local excellence. As tourism across the globe continues to rebuild and reimagine, Tshwane leads with innovation, heart and resilience. The Tshwane Tourism Awards are a powerful reminder of the passion and potential within our city — and a call to keep shining in our wonderfullest wildest capital city in the world. For tickets, finalist updates and more information, visit:
