Empowering SMMEs in Tourism: TUT and STEA Collaboration. The Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management, in collaboration with the Small Tourism Enterprise Association (STEA), organized an empowerment and engagement workshop and exhibition for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The event took place at the Prestige Auditorium on October 26.
Empowering SMMEs in Tourism: TUT and STEA Collaboration
Sonto Mbonambi, President of STEA, emphasized the organization’s role as a voice for SMMEs, focusing on high-impact issues. STEA aims to identify opportunities and challenges in the tourism sector while creating initiatives to drive economic growth and advocate for member advancement.
Digitalization in Focus
The workshop delved into the digitization of SMMEs in the tourism supply chain, addressing the identified gap in the digital labor market within the tourism sector. Collaboration with TUT aimed to explore digitalization needs and assess SMMEs’ activity in the digital space.
TUT Moral Purpose and Research Project
Dr. Portia Sifolo, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Tourism Management, highlighted the university’s commitment to societal transformation. The workshop is part of a larger project funded by the National Research Foundation, focusing on sustainable tourism and digital strategies.
Keynote Insights on the Digital Economy
Sina Legong, Partner Programme Lead at Mlab, emphasized the workshop’s significance in recognizing the digital economy’s pivotal role in shaping Africa’s tourism future. She discussed opportunities and challenges, stressing the responsibility of businesses in safeguarding privacy and ensuring ethical digital practices.
Panel Discussion: Navigating the Digital Maze
The panel discussion, facilitated by Dr. Sifolo, featured insights from Dr. Patrick Ebewo, Sthandiwe Mkhize, Lizanne du Plessis, Hulisani Thabela, and Melanie Leloup. Topics included continuous learning, client relationships, data-driven decision-making, social media importance, and the significance of partnerships and governance structures.
The collective call was to embrace digitalization with a commitment to ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability, shaping a future for tourism that leverages the power of the digital economy responsibly.
- For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Phaphama Tshisikhawe, Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
- Tel: +27 12 382 4711
- Email: [email protected]
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