CAPE Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold has announced she is stepping down from the post she has held for the past nine years to pursue a more flexible career as a consultant, which will enable her to spend more time with her young family.

Du Toit-Helmbold told a media briefing yesterday she has decided not to renew her contract when it expires at the end of June. She will leave CTT at the end of July, but will support the association until its AGM in October where she will present the 2012/13 results and officially hand over the reins to a new CEO. In future, she intends to work as an independent tourism and marketing strategist, serving clients nationally and internationally. “Cape Town and tourism will always be my first love, but I need to flex my muscle. There is huge need and opportunity to help other DMO’s. I look forward to applying the passion I have for the sector and what I have learned to continue working with government and the industry to make a positive difference.” She will remain a board member of Wesgro, the provincial trade, investment and tourism promotion agency.

Du Toit-Helmbold denied political hurdles and financial insecurities that plagued CTT last year motivated her departure.  “It’s absolutely not the reason why I am leaving. Sure, it’s a challenging environment with strong personalities and complexities, but that’s one of things I will miss most.”  She said the City of Cape Town’s recent commitment to granting CTT a three-year tourism and visitor services mandate had secured the association’s financial and strategic future. “We have come through challenging times, but our relationship with the City is very solid now.” She said CTT intends to submit a new three-year business plan to the City by the end of February and to wrap up the new SLA with the City by the end of March.   Going forward, CTT would focus on increasing its self-generated funding; invest more in virtual infrastructure; have closer marketing relationships with its main industry partners; and innovate where possible.

Du Toit-Helmbold said she was leaving behind a stable association that was lead by a capable team and a progressive industry board. “I leave behind a legacy that I am immensely proud of,” she said.

CTT chairperson, Sabine Lehman, commended Du Toit-Helmbold for having been a “fearless and passionate leader for tourism and a champion of all things Cape Town”. “Her energy, optimism and creativity will be missed.” Lehman said the Board would look for a replacement with “tenacity and strength” as her replacement.

Cape Town City councilor Grant Pascoe thanked Du Toit-Helmbold for her “leadership, commitment and dedication to promoting Cape Town, locally and internationally”. “She has left an inedible mark on Cape Town and the tourism industry. “