Lilongwe, Nov. 23 (RETOSA) –The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) has launched its Southern Africa Women in Tourism Awards at its 2nd Annual Southern Africa Women in Tourism which took place on 23 and 24 November in Lilongwe, Malawi. The awards, which aim to recognize women’s contribution and projects in tourism development in SADC Member States will take place at the 3rd Annual Southern Africa Women in Tourism conference, scheduled that take place in 2016. It will be an important platform to map the way forward for current and future Women in Tourism projects and provide an opportunity for women in the sector to transact.
In giving her update report The Chairperson of the Southern Africa Women in Tourism Forum , Dr Dimakatso Malwela indicated that women are moving away from ‘business as usual’ to the business of developing themselves and creating jobs. “Women are driving change, often behind the scenes. Gone are the days where a woman’s place was in the kitchen. They have turned the kitchen to a business,” said Dr Malwela. Echoing her sentiments the Marketing Director UK and Europe from the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Carol Hay, told the women who graced the conference to invest in building a successful business brand in order to become globally competitive.
The 2nd Annual Women in Tourism Conference was a resounding and attracted over 200 delegates from 11 SADC Countries including Botswana, DR Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the host country Malawi. The conference also enjoyed the support of the Malawi Government, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Tourism and Civic Education for Malawi, Honourable Jappie Mhango, Deputy Minister Tourism for South Africa, Honourable Tokozile Xaza, Malawi Airline, Camelot Spa and several prominent tourism industry figures.
