Latest news with #Lekalake
The Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kele Lekalake drives change with women at the helm of travel firm
As South Africa ushers in Women's Month, the spotlight turns to the empowerment of women across all sectors, sparking crucial dialogues about the need for continuous support, mentorship, and training. In the travel industry, a field often dominated by men, Kele Lekalake, the Executive Manager at Harvey World Travel (HWT) Southern Africa, is making significant strides and shines a spotlight on the pivotal role women play in this industry. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, Lekalake has established herself as a beacon of female empowerment and calls for continued progress. She tells Saturday Star that under her stewardship, the travel company boasts a strikingly impressive 100% women-led structure at its head office, reinforcing the critical narrative of female entrepreneurship and leadership. In her reflections during this month dedicated to celebrating women, she underscores the necessity for ongoing support, mentorship, and training to ensure that women continue to flourish and scale new heights in their careers. 'The travel industry is generally a female-dominant sector, and within the Harvey World Travel network, 70%+ of our franchise owners and managers are women. This means our franchises have a huge impact on contributing to the economy through employment and the empowerment of young people coming up the ranks. Our head office team is 100% women-led, and we have a critical role in supporting our members to be competitive and future sustainable,' she said. As she articulates the progress made in advancing gender equality, Lekalake acknowledges that more work remains, especially in securing stronger representation of women in executive roles across various sectors. Within the group, however, she highlights a commendable presence of women in leadership positions, a testament to their commitment to fostering inclusivity. She further stated that the critical role they play at head office, which is entirely women-led, is to ensure that their members are competitive and sustainable for the future. 'Yes, we have seen meaningful and intentional efforts to address gender inequality however there is still room for improvement especially in executive roles. As a BIDTravel company, there is a strong presence of women in leadership across various brands within the group,' she highlights. Addressing the complexities of entrepreneurship, Lekalake shares valuable insights for women aiming to carve their niche in the business landscape. 'Entrepreneurship is challenging, yet women are inherently hard workers. My advice is to keep your eyes on the goal. Be vocal about what matters. Don't leave anyone behind, be it staff or travellers. Protect your legacy at all costs. And partnerships that resonate with your brand, goals, and beliefs.' For first-time travellers engaging with an agency, Lekalake encourages diligence in verifying the agency's credentials. 'Don't hesitate to enquire about accreditations through the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Association of Travel Agents Southern Africa (ASATA). If they're part of a consortium, don't shy away from calling them to verify,' she said. [email protected] Saturday Star
IOL News
01-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Kele Lekalake drives change with women at the helm of travel firm
As South Africa ushers in Women's Month, the spotlight turns to the empowerment of women across all sectors, sparking crucial dialogues about the need for continuous support, mentorship, and training. In the travel industry, a field often dominated by men, Kele Lekalake, the Executive Manager at Harvey World Travel (HWT) Southern Africa, is making significant strides and shines a spotlight on the pivotal role women play in this industry. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, Lekalake has established herself as a beacon of female empowerment and calls for continued progress. She tells Saturday Star that under her stewardship, the travel company boasts a strikingly impressive 100% women-led structure at its head office, reinforcing the critical narrative of female entrepreneurship and leadership. In her reflections during this month dedicated to celebrating women, she underscores the necessity for ongoing support, mentorship, and training to ensure that women continue to flourish and scale new heights in their careers. 'The travel industry is generally a female-dominant sector, and within the Harvey World Travel network, 70%+ of our franchise owners and managers are women. This means our franchises have a huge impact on contributing to the economy through employment and the empowerment of young people coming up the ranks. Our head office team is 100% women-led, and we have a critical role in supporting our members to be competitive and future sustainable,' she said. As she articulates the progress made in advancing gender equality, Lekalake acknowledges that more work remains, especially in securing stronger representation of women in executive roles across various sectors. Within the group, however, she highlights a commendable presence of women in leadership positions, a testament to their commitment to fostering inclusivity. She further stated that the critical role they play at head office, which is entirely women-led, is to ensure that their members are competitive and sustainable for the future. 'Yes, we have seen meaningful and intentional efforts to address gender inequality however there is still room for improvement especially in executive roles. As a BIDTravel company, there is a strong presence of women in leadership across various brands within the group,' she highlights. Addressing the complexities of entrepreneurship, Lekalake shares valuable insights for women aiming to carve their niche in the business landscape. 'Entrepreneurship is challenging, yet women are inherently hard workers. My advice is to keep your eyes on the goal. Be vocal about what matters. Don't leave anyone behind, be it staff or travellers. Protect your legacy at all costs. And partnerships that resonate with your brand, goals, and beliefs.' For first-time travellers engaging with an agency, Lekalake encourages diligence in verifying the agency's credentials. 'Don't hesitate to enquire about accreditations through the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Association of Travel Agents Southern Africa (ASATA). If they're part of a consortium, don't shy away from calling them to verify,' she said. Saturday Star
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Are more South Africans travelling again since the pandemic? Tips for travel agencies to stay ahead
Travellers now see that while information is available online, engaging with a travel agent is about getting expert insights. The global tourism sector, once one of the most dynamic industries, continues to grapple with the long-lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although international and domestic travel have resumed, the industry is still striving to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. To truly recover, a fundamental shift is required—not just in operations, but in how travel is marketed and experienced. Consumer behaviour has changed significantly, with travellers now prioritising flexibility, safety, and personalised experiences. As a result, traditional travel agencies and tourism bodies must rebrand and modernise their approach to align with the new expectations of a cautious and value-conscious customer base. Affordability has also become a major concern, particularly in South Africa, where many people are still recovering from the financial setbacks of the pandemic. Coupled with a sluggish economy, the high cost of travel is a major barrier preventing many from booking holidays. ALSO READ: Will more people travel this year compared to last? What keeps the tourism sector alive? Kele Lekalake, executive manager at Harvey World Travel (HWT) Southern Africa, told The Citizen that cross-selling and upselling become even more critical because a trip to London is not just a flight, a hotel, and a taxi; it's about what else you could do to explore your destination. 'We are seeing destinations that were not as popular becoming more so, like, for example, Vietnam, Türkiye, Morocco.' Lekalake said it is important for businesses to rebrand because consumer behaviours change; therefore, a rebranding helps to keep up with what is trending. Government role in the sector 'Small businesses require an opportunity to bid competitively for business, as they have the skill set and resources that are available in big companies. 'It is therefore important to allow them that opportunity, supporting their initiatives, such as the introduction of systems and technology that can better support your systems and improve cash flow management,' she added. Lekalake said that technology, as an enabler, and social media, as an influencer, are the new world in the industry. She said travellers now see that while information is available online, engaging with a travel agent is about getting expert insights. ALSO READ: How to boost hospitality profits this festive season Africa Travel Indaba Africa's Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three 'must-visit' events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of Africa's best tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world. Africa's Travel Indaba is owned by South African Tourism. This year, it took place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, from 12 to 15 May 2025. How Africa Indaba performed According to Thembisile Sehloho, chief marketing officer of South African Tourism, the projected economic benefits of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, encompassing event infrastructure and logistics, as well as accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been substantial. 'The direct economic impact of Africa's Travel Indaba on Durban's GDP is estimated at R574-million, with direct spending totalling more than R232-million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits. 'Additionally, the event created more than 2 000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million.' Hotel sector performance The latest available stats for the hotel sector show growth in its income levels for November 2024, which could suggest South Africans have recovered financially. While income levels are above those recorded before the Covid-19 lockdowns, it is worth noting that when adjusting for inflation, the 'real picture' is that the sector still has not fully recovered. John Loos, FNB's property strategist, says the higher single-digit growth, outpacing general inflation, is encouraging. NOW READ: Tourism department calls on SMMEs to apply for 'Market Access' programme amid global uncertainty
