SAT appoints new US trade relations manager

SOUTH African Tourism has announced the appointment of Sva Mali (Miss) as the new trade relations manager for the east coast USA. Mali will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the trade; coordinating SA Tourism’s participation in trade shows; making trade presentations, and organising and conducting travel agent seminars, workshops and familiarisation trips. She will be the primary contact between South African Tourism and its travel industry partners, the tour operators and travel agents. She assumed her position on December 1, 2003, and will be based in the organisation’s New York office. Prior to joining South African Tourism, Mali was the account manager - national sales for British Airways operated by Comair, the franchise partner for BA in southern Africa, and was responsible for managing the airline’s key accounts. She also served as a sales executive with American Express Travel Services, where she worked closely with the travel agent community. “We are delighted to have Sva on board as part of our team,” said Prudence Solomon, South African Tourism’s country manager for the Americas, based in New York. “She brings a wealth of knowledge of the destination and the industry to this critical position, and we are confident that she will make a positive difference in how our trade partners perceive and sell South Africa as a value for money, preferred tourist destination of choice.” (Miguel de Sousa)