FEDHASA highlights gains and goals at AGM

Seated row from left to right: Ruth Kamau (Small Accommodation segment Chair), Rob Kucera (FEDHASA Cape Chairperson), Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa (National CEO), Karin Augustyn (Trusted Partners segment Alternate), Noli Mini (Young Professionals segment Chair)

Standing row from left to right: Terence Lategan (Restaurant & Catering segment Alternate), Sissel Tellefsen (Small Accommodation segment Alternate), Marvin Rashopola (Young Professionals segment Alternate), Rema Wiese (Fedhasa Cape Executive Officer), Chris Godenir (Hotels segment Alternate) and Carl van Rooyen (Restaurant & Catering segment Chair). (Absent on this picture: Jeff Rosenberg (Hotel segment Chair) & Alan Lester (Trusted Partners Chair).

The AGM presented an opportunity for FEDHASA National to contextualise the gains and goals achieved in the 2015/16 financial year against the backdrop of a challenging tourism landscape where international and domestic arrivals decreased and total revenue dropped. Fedhasa National CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa pointed out that this only highlighted the importance of the tourism industry, supporting FEDHASA as its official voice and lobbying force to represent our members and the industry at the highest level and on various relevant boards and forums.

He also highlighted some future projects that FEDHASA will be undertaking on behalf of its members, such as continuing to influence the industry regulatory environment, research, and skills development, promoting service excellence (including our Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism) and improving the communications strategy etc.

Over the past year, FEDHASA has been active in lobbying, negotiating and/or been involved with various important pieces of legislation on behalf of the industry such as the National Liquor Act, Tourism BBBEE scorecard, Labour Legislation, Visa/Immigrations and Unabridged Birth Certificates.

Rob Kucera commented: “As the industry watchdog with our members’ best interest at the heart of FEDHASA Cape’s mandate, we’re committed to on-going, active lobbying to ensure that the changes that make it easier and more attractive for foreigners, especially tourists, to travel to and from South Africa are implemented.”

Partnerships, events and initiatives

FEDHASA Cape has also been active over this time-period in a variety of valuable, partnership-building events, initiatives and meetings including Cape365, a project to address the impact of seasonality; JAMMS, a strategic partnership between Cape Town Tourism, FEDHASA Cape, SAACI Western Cape and SATSA Western Cape, and ‘Business meets Government’, a series of engagements that brings industry together with politicians.

Through the Employers’ Body Registration and with the assistance of expert labour consultants, FEDHASA Cape assisted more than 300 members to settle outside of the Labour Court.

As testimony to FEDHASA Cape’s goals over the past year of growth and retention of members, staying relevant and delivering tangible value to its members, the association was pleased to report that despite the challenging tourism landscape, which generally sees industry players cutting back on membership fees, FEDHASA Cape reported a nett growth in membership during 2015 by 21,7%, and the organisation will go on to represent almost 700 members in the financial year ahead.

The new Board

Outgoing Board member Matt Pae was warmly thanked for his contributions, while new board member Ruth Kamau was welcomed as Small Accommodation Segment Chair. The new board will guide FEDHASA Cape in the year ahead to take action to achieve new goals and deliver value to members through both the local and national efforts.

FEDHASA Cape Board Members for the 2016/17 financial year: