MARKET NEWS

Cape Town Tourism announces Wahida Parker as new chair

The City’s official destination marketing organisation, Cape Town Tourism (CTT), has announced the election of Wahida Parker, managing director of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, as its new board chairperson.

Ms Parker is an attorney and internationally accredited mediator. Her background includes brand management, public relations and marketing, all skills that she has been able to draw on in the position as managing director of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company. She took up the post as managing director in 2016.

Commenting on the election, Ms Parker said, “CTT plays an invaluable role in bringing people to the Cape and to make sure our industry offers an experience that people will remember for years to come. I am all too aware of the enormous responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the CTT Board, and as its Chair, I will do everything in my power to make sure that tourism succeeds for everyone in Cape Town.”

Enver Duminy, chief executive officer of Cape Town Tourism said, “We at Cape Town Tourism are thrilled about the appointment of Ms Parker as our new chair. Ms Parker is very well-respected in the tourism industry, especially as a leader in managing one of the most-loved tourist attractions in the world! We are confident that with her on our board, we will not only be able to deliver on our strategic objectives, but also ensure that we provide business-enabling services to our members, supporting them to become competitive, sustainable, and transformed. We will continue to ensure that tourism remains at the heart of our beautiful Mother City and that we remain as the go-to city on the African continent.”

Ms Parker will be taking over the reins from Brett Hendricks, who served on the board from 2016, and specifically as chair from 2019-2022.

Mr Duminy added: “We extend a heartfelt thank you to Brett Hendricks, who not only brought a wealth of tourism experience and passion to the organisation during his time on the Board, but was an invaluable asset, particularly as chair in the last three years with what was a very tumultuous time for our industry.”

Three new additional board members for the board of Cape Town Tourism, were also chosen by Cape Town Tourism’s members and announced at the recent AGM:

Tracy Mkhize, general manager of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

A fearless leader in her industry, Ms Mkhize has worked in hospitality for more than 19 years. This includes her time as general manager at Peermont Global, followed by six years at the CTICC. Ms Mkhize was appointed in 2019 as an independent non-executive director of Cape Town Tourism (CTT) at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2019. This will be her second term serving on the CTT Board.

Shireen Onia, founder of ServiceGurus

Serial entrepreneur, Ms Onia has worked tirelessly to provide support and guidance to the Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Customer Service industries. Improving the way that businesses are run, to create a better working environment for all, Ms Onia, with over 24 years of experience, has built her businesses from the ground up, and carved an illustrious career in a fast moving industry. Currently, she runs ServiceGurus, a learning and development company; as well as Propati Cape Town, a short and long term property management business. Ms Onia has also just launched PropaClean, a subscription-based information hub which hosts training and more for domestic workers and office cleaners. Ms Onia is a committee member of the Cape Chamber, a board member of FEDHASA and Women In Tourism Western Cape and a member of Women of Worth.

Lee-Anne Singer, marketing director at the Singer Group

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Ms Singer is passionate about leadership, empowerment and social entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the Singer Group, she worked in media, on top brands such as CNBC Africa, The Property Magazine and Top Women in Business and Government. She was also recently elected as the chairperson of FEDHASA.

Today, Ms Singer is in charge of driving business development for the Singer Group, which operates various businesses within the tourism industry, spanning the travel, hospitality, hotel and property sectors in South Africa. Brands include much-loved names like Montagu Springs, Dolphin Beach Hotel in Blouberg, Blowfish Restaurant, Embassy Travel and Amazing Holidays.