Professor Ernie Heath, Head of the Department of Tourism Management at the University of Pretoria, was one of 34 tourism marketing professionals from across the globe who were recognised as Destination Champions at the 95th Annual Convention of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), which was held in Atlanta, USA, during July.
Heath was recognised for more than 25 years of commitment to the advancement of tourism destination management and marketing in South Africa and also internationally. His contributions range from championing the very successful ‘Explore South Africa’ campaign in the mid-nineties, when he was Deputy Executive Director of South African Tourism; to compiling the first strategic plan for the Indian Ocean Tourism Organization; to co-authoring one of the first international books on the strategic marketing of tourism destinations.
In recent years, as Head of the Department of Tourism Management at the University of Pretoria, his contribution has mainly been in the spheres of tourism destination research and education in South Africa and also internationally. During the past decade he has, among others, initiated and facilitated various collaborative tourism education and research projects in the destination marketing sphere in partnership with various destination marketing organisations, which included destinations such as Dubai, Mozambique, Namibia and Mauritius.
