Stellenbosch wine farmer, Malmsey Rangaka of M'Hudi Wines has been named overall winner of the highly contested 2009/10 Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (ETEYA).
This was announced at a glittering award ceremony celebrating 'Heroes - past and present' on May 7 at INDABA in Durban. This is also a 10 year milestone for the competition.
A delighted Malmsey Rangaka accepted the award on behalf of her company and has also walked away with R100 000 to help grow the business. First runner up was Jojo Tsheola of Tsheola Dinare Tours, a tour operator based in Gauteng.
Tsheola Dinare provides shuttle services and arranges tailor-made tours for visitors. Second runner up was Tiveka Mathumbu of Tiveka Game Lodge in Limpopo. Tiveka is a small game reserve that provides quality accommodation, conferencing as well game drive facilities at competitive prices.
Third runner up was Tebogo Nare for Nare Travel and Tours in the North West. Nare Travel is a full service travel agency, tour operations and shuttle transfer service provider. It is a community driven service specialising in tailor-made holidays to any destination in South Africa.
Said Hanneli Slabber, Global Manager: Product for South African Tourism: "The passion and exuberance displayed by the ETEYA winners is contagious. We are delighted with the level of business acumen they display."
The ETEYA winners were chosen based on how well they presented their businesses at ITB; the standard of their marketing material; their level of innovation; their enthusiasm; how well they presented themselves as ambassadors; and the return on investment.
The judging panel consists of Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA), the Tourism Grading Council (TGCSA), the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP), South African Breweries (SAB), South African Tourism, the Provincial Tourism Authorities, member of the media, Travelwires and private business, Flight Centre.
Entries for 2010/11 ETEYA Awards are currently open.
