Cream of tourism’s crop at SATSA Conference

The SATSA 2025 Conference kicked off with a welcome dinner attended by some of the pre-eminent members of South Africa’s private inbound tourism sector.

Taking place in Johannesburg from September 9-11 under the theme ‘Spread the Love’, the conference is exploring solutions to some of the country’s most pressing tourism barriers, while highlighting exceptional stories and the diverse tourism experiences offered in Johannesburg.  See our photo round-up from the welcome dinner below:

(From left) Martin Cody, GM of Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, with former SA Tourism Board members Judi Nwokedi and Lawson Naidoo.
(From left) Africa’s Eden CEO, Jillian Blackbeard; New Frontiers Contract and Buying Manager, Jolene Finn; Africa’s Eden COO, Louise Nielsen, and independent tourism consultant, Gillian Saunders.
(From left) Ates Africa Director, Angelica Muñoz-Cordoba; The Diamond Works Institute Sales and Marketing Executive, Kevin Barry; Co-Founder of Africa Sky Runners, Mike White; Mdluli Safari Lodge Sales Manager, Tanya Lubbe; Pembury Transfers Director, Dave Ferrant, and Pembury Transfers Reservations Manager, Nikita Doubell.  
(From left) Managing Executive at Sense of Africa, South Africa, Suzanne Benadie; Sense of Africa Operations Director, Merle Kwan; TDM South Africa COO, Bridget Dukor; Extraordinary Head of Sales, Marketing and Reservations, Kate Davidson, and GoVacation Africa CEO, Sabine Blehle.  
(From left) GM of Sales, Contracting & Proposals at Thompsons Africa, Renier Friis; aha Hotels & Lodges Sales and Marketing Chief, Diedre Ward, and aha Hotels & Lodges Marketing Manager, Ruzandri Stoltz. 
(From left) New Frontiers SA Product Manager, Renee Vermeulen; Raha Retreats Sales and Marketing Specialist, Janine Southwood; The Diamond Works Institute Sales and Marketing Executive, Kevin Barry; Wesgro Head of Leisure Tourism, Julia Louw; The Solution 4U Sales and Marketing Strategy Expert, Caroline Daniel. 
(From left) ROAM Client Development Manager, Lucia Brain; ROAM Sales and Marketing Strategist, Lianne Kelly-Maartens and This is Beyond Head of Sales and Partnerships, Kathy Bruggemann.
(From left) Inspirational Travel & Tours Director, Craig Drysdale; SATIB MD, Kevin Watson; Sigma International Co-Founder, Akash Singh; Head of Anglo American Zimele, Larisha Naidoo.