THE LAST WORD
Business survival advice for the industry There are few industries that offer more opportunity for talented individuals to rise through the ranks quickly without requiring formal qualifications than the hospitality industry. By Robyn Christie, consultant to the industry and Agility Hospitality advisor.
M
ost TripAdvisor reviews begin with accolades about the staff they have encountered before they review the venue or the food, and usually the skills most required in hospitality are not ones that are learnt through formal qualifications. The Tourism Equity Fund’s (TEF) aim of prioritising rural areas to help spread economic prosperity within local communities provides a golden opportunity for developing individuals and increasing their employability. South African hospitality is internationally renowned for the warmth of the staff. An affinity for people is among the most desirable traits in this industry, and people without tertiary education can be very successfully developed on the job while earning a salary.
34 Business Events Africa March 2021
With no increase in direct taxes announced in Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s Budget speech, it is hoped that families’ comfort levels will improve and lead to more people indulging in local holidays and dining out in greater numbers. Perhaps driven by an association with perceived health benefits of ‘fresh country air’, many people are seeking out destinations that are off the beaten track and this could herald future successes for invigorating rural economies. Supporting and sustaining hospitality has wider national significance because it is such a labour-intensive sector, with exciting prospects for job creation, stimulating economic activity and developing grassroots talent into highly marketable hospitality professionals.
Although the industry shed many jobs last year, prior to the pandemic, tourism and hospitality were performing well and it is expected that many establishments will rebuild, with or without TEF backing, to thrive once more. Driven by competition, the businesses that remain open have put a real emphasis on Covid-19 safety and compliance because this is a major selling point. By this stage, any teething issues have been ironed out because any whisper of dubious C-19 precautions could be a death knell for any business in this space. Supporting local has been very much embraced by those who can afford to, as people turned to activities that they perhaps would not have sought out previously. While the beaches were closed, South Africans had more time to www.businesseventsafrica.com
