Debbie Damant
Head: Visitor Experience at South African Tourism- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Adéle du Toit
I have worked with Debbie since she started at South African Tourism in 2012. She is a real team player, pleasant to work with and KPI driven. She was at the head of many successful campaigns as Head of the SA Country Office and as Head of Visitor Experience. She is not scared to try her hand at new things and embrace challenges in a very professional manner. She is an asset to our company!!!
Rebone Sesoko
Debbie was my go-to person during my years of working as an events manager for the biggest travel show in South Africa. The travel Indaba was held in a different province to where I was based and until our team was on the ground closer to the event we relied on her to manage the ground logistics and establish a team of suppliers together so that when we arrived, a week before, it was a question of making the final arrangements. Debbie's work ethic and personality made everyone feel comfortable and I have enjoyed that connection with her long after I left the job. I would recommend her for any potential opportunities related to tourism and promoting campaigns.
Adéle du Toit
I have worked with Debbie since she started at South African Tourism in 2012. She is a real team player, pleasant to work with and KPI driven. She was at the head of many successful campaigns as Head of the SA Country Office and as Head of Visitor Experience. She is not scared to try her hand at new things and embrace challenges in a very professional manner. She is an asset to our company!!!
Rebone Sesoko
Debbie was my go-to person during my years of working as an events manager for the biggest travel show in South Africa. The travel Indaba was held in a different province to where I was based and until our team was on the ground closer to the event we relied on her to manage the ground logistics and establish a team of suppliers together so that when we arrived, a week before, it was a question of making the final arrangements. Debbie's work ethic and personality made everyone feel comfortable and I have enjoyed that connection with her long after I left the job. I would recommend her for any potential opportunities related to tourism and promoting campaigns.
Adéle du Toit
I have worked with Debbie since she started at South African Tourism in 2012. She is a real team player, pleasant to work with and KPI driven. She was at the head of many successful campaigns as Head of the SA Country Office and as Head of Visitor Experience. She is not scared to try her hand at new things and embrace challenges in a very professional manner. She is an asset to our company!!!
Rebone Sesoko
Debbie was my go-to person during my years of working as an events manager for the biggest travel show in South Africa. The travel Indaba was held in a different province to where I was based and until our team was on the ground closer to the event we relied on her to manage the ground logistics and establish a team of suppliers together so that when we arrived, a week before, it was a question of making the final arrangements. Debbie's work ethic and personality made everyone feel comfortable and I have enjoyed that connection with her long after I left the job. I would recommend her for any potential opportunities related to tourism and promoting campaigns.
Adéle du Toit
I have worked with Debbie since she started at South African Tourism in 2012. She is a real team player, pleasant to work with and KPI driven. She was at the head of many successful campaigns as Head of the SA Country Office and as Head of Visitor Experience. She is not scared to try her hand at new things and embrace challenges in a very professional manner. She is an asset to our company!!!
Rebone Sesoko
Debbie was my go-to person during my years of working as an events manager for the biggest travel show in South Africa. The travel Indaba was held in a different province to where I was based and until our team was on the ground closer to the event we relied on her to manage the ground logistics and establish a team of suppliers together so that when we arrived, a week before, it was a question of making the final arrangements. Debbie's work ethic and personality made everyone feel comfortable and I have enjoyed that connection with her long after I left the job. I would recommend her for any potential opportunities related to tourism and promoting campaigns.
Credentials
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International Dining Awards Jury Member
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AWARDSMay, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
International Spa & Beauty Awards Jury Member
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AWARDSMay, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
International Travel Awards Jury Member
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AWARDSMar, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
WESSA Blue Flag Jury
Blue Flag InternationalJan, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Masters of Business Administration
MANCOSAFeb, 2014- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate in TV & Radio Presenting
Oakfields CollegeJan, 2014- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate: Customer Service
DeloitteJan, 2001- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate: Travel & Tourism
ML Sultan TechnikonJan, 1999- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate: Financial Management Systems
Department of WorksJan, 1995- Nov, 2024 -
Certificate: Public Speaking
The Voice Clinic -
Leadership Development
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National Diploma: Public Management
Durban University of Technology -
Simon Anholt Nation Branding Masterclass - London
The Good Country Equation
Experience
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South African Tourism
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South Africa
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Travel Arrangements
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200 - 300 Employee
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Head: Visitor Experience
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Aug 2017 - Present
Strategic and operation head responsible for all aspects of Visitor Experience at the South African Tourism. This position is responsible for creating and delivering innovative strategies to ensure that the visitor is at the core of everything that we do. Through key initiatives implemented with both traditional and non conventional partners, will enhance that their experience matches our brand deliverables. My role encompasses the entire tourism value chain both locally, regionally and internationally.
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Country Manager: Southern Africa
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Sep 2012 - Aug 2017
Strategic country head responsible for the Southern African business unit at South African Tourism, which includes SADC countries and South Africa. Lead South Africa's domestic tourism, develop market strategies including design review with actionable business plans per country. Explore new innovation and technology to inspire travel and tourism to South Africa and influence South Africans to take more frequent holiday breaks and travel their own country. I reintroduced the Shotleft domestic campaign in 2013, which stabilised the domestic tourism decline and was a key catalyst driving growth in the domestic market. Manage and monitor the latest travel and tourism trends to ensure top of mind destination awareness and effective destination tourism performance, including keeping consumer data and market research relevant. Initiate, lead and manage marketing campaigns to achieve revenue/sales and arrival targets. Mentor, manage and inspire team to contribute and efficiently deliver on key performance targets. Launched the 1st "responsive" country site at South African Tourism, www.shotleft.co.za and won 2 awards for successful destination marketing travel and tourism campaigns. My role is a director level and in April 2016, I focused solely on South Africa's domestic tourism market due to additional allocation of budget and political importance.
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Founder and Owner
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Aug 2012 - Dec 2016
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Wesgro
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South Africa
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International Trade and Development
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Manager: Leisure Marketing (CTRU merged with Wesgro)
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Dec 2006 - Sep 2012
Head of Marketing at Wesgro, responsible for strategic destination marketing, events management, business planning, promotional campaigns for Cape Town and the Western both domestically and internationally...
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Leisure Tourism / Brand Manager
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2005 - 2006
Strategically responsible for marketing and promoting KwaZulu-Natal as a leisure destination both domestically and internationally...
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V&A Waterfront
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South Africa
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Real Estate
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100 - 200 Employee
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Retail Promotions Manager
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Jan 2004 - Jun 2005
Head of Retail Promotions at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Company, which is a multi-purpose property comprising of retail shopping centres, tourism experiences, entertainment, restaurants and hotels. Visit www.waterfront.co.za
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Marketing Services Coordinator: Customer Relations
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Dec 1998 - Jan 2003
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Trade Marketing Manager
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2003 - 2003
I was contracted by this Botswana based company responsible for a portfolio of properties within Africa for 12 months.
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Loss Control Officer
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1991 - 1997
My role here was to monitor and investigate all losses and potential fraud that the department experienced.
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Education
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2020 - 2021
Wits Business School
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2020 - 2020
University of Cambridge
High Impact Leadership, Leadership -
1997 -
University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika
National Diploma, Public Management
Community
