Winner of Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award announced

As part of their Indaba activities, Johannesburg Tourism Company will be hosting an informative breakfast briefing for media and industry stakeholders at the Hilton Hotel in Durban on May 14, 2011.

As part of their Indaba activities, Johannesburg Tourism Company will be hosting an informative breakfast briefing for media and industry stakeholders at the Hilton Hotel in Durban on May 14, 2011.

From business to pleasure, having a great time is always in fashion in Joburg โ€“ regardless of the season. As the weather cools down, the action heats up! Come warm your heart and soul with everything from excellent dining, exciting entertainment, and sensational music, to world-class art, designer shopping, and some of the seasonโ€™s not-to-be-missed social events. The line-up includes rugby and soccer fixtures aplenty, alongside the glamorous Inanda Africa Cup Polo Tournament and the uplifting Joy of Jazz. So whether youโ€™re looking to strike a scorching deal, have a terrific time โ€“ or both โ€“ Joburg is your year-round capital for sizzling, non-stop action.

LINDIWE SANGWENI-SIDDON NAMED AS WINNER OF JOBURG TOURISM ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

This year, dynamic Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo is the recipient of the Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award.

Five years ago on October 27, 2007, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo opened the doors of the Soweto Hotel โ€“ Joburgโ€™s first black-owned hotel, managed by a black female! The hotel initially opened as a Holiday Inn as part of the Freedom Square development, before converting to its current concept, which features 48 rooms (including 2 presidential suites), conference rooms, and a bar โ€“ not forgetting the Jazz Maniacs restaurant, renowned for its live jazz performances every month.

Influenced by her father, Sangweni-Siddo had originally set out to be a doctor and studied the appropriate sciences at high school. Strangely enough, one day when taking a bus ride, she was influenced by a girl she didnโ€™t know, to consider a course in hotel management. She recalls with some laughter how her father was disappointed and asked her if she wanted to spend her life asking people if their food was alright!
She attended and graduated from the renowned Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland. Her passion for the industry then compelled her to complete a BSc in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at Pennsylvania State University (USA), from where she joined the Global Hyatt Corporation in Washington DC. She started as an intern and after 6 months was promoted to a permanent position as assistant front office manager.

This was just the start of a stellar career in the business of hospitality and tourism. Sangweni-Siddo has traveled extensively; has lived and worked in hotels in Africa, Europe, and America; and sheโ€™s climbed the corporate ladder – from Assistant Front Office Manager to the point where her understanding of whatโ€™s required in the hotel and tourism industry is acute.

Among her plethora of career achievements, she has also served on the boards of the South African Weather Services (SAWS), as Chairperson of the HR and Remuneration Committee, as a member of the Sandton Tourism Association (STA), and as a Director on the Board of South African Tourism.

Her recent appointment as Managing Director of the Birchwood Hotel and O R Tambo Conference Centre once again affirms her caliber, experience, and the regard with which she is held in the industry. Sangweni-Siddo also continues to oversee the Soweto Hotel.

Criteria for the Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award include:

– A minimum of 3 years operating in the tourism industry;
– Providing an innovative product or service in the tourism industry;
– Showing sustainability, growth, and job creation potential;
– Providing excellent standard of service – worthy of being promoted as world class to both local and international audiences;
– Offering benefits to the community they operate in; and
– Showing commitment to skills development initiatives for employees.

Johannesburg, represented by the Johannesburg Tourism Company, is a member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP), a new grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. ( www.tourismpartners.org ).

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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