Cape Town Tourism appoints new board member

Michellene Leo

Following her nomination to the board, she was voted in at the Cape Town Tourism AGM held at the end of October. She is one of the youngest members to be voted into the Cape Town Tourism board and the only woman on the current board.

An 18 year veteran of the hotel and tourism industry, Leo has previously worked at Protea Hotels and the Taj Resort and Palaces. Commenting on her appointment she said, "I am delighted to be voted onto the board of Cape Town Tourism and I'm happy to be representing the hotel sector. Tourism is the life blood of Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism is one of the leading tourism bodies in the world. It's a huge honour for me.

I see my contribution as one where I can contribute to selling and marketing Cape Town as the preferred destination in South Africa throughout the year for South Africans and also to visitors from wider afield in southern Africa.

We have a beautiful city, but we cannot just rely on that. We have to work hard and smart to set ourselves apart from the competition. I'm excited for what lies ahead, and I'd like to thank everyone for their support."

Michellene, apart from handling the marketing function for Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, is also an expert in digital and social media. She prides herself in staying in front of the latest trends in tourism and hospitality.

"I see a huge advantage in having Michellene on the board of Cape Town Tourism," said Debra Sivertsen, General Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront. "She will be the first to highlight the ever shifting trends in visitor attitudes and behaviour. This will be an invaluable aid as our city navigates its way through a sometimes challenging environment."