Women dominate South Africa’s tourism sector, but are still under-represented at management and senior management level. Milissa Naidoo, Deputy General Manager for the Portswood and Commodore hotels in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront believes this is starting to change.

Naidoo earned her tourism qualification from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, after which she completed an internship at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. There, she worked her way up from helping in the curio shop to Assistant Lodge Manager. 

She joined the Legacy Group in 2008, and after 16 years with the group, was appointed Deputy General Manager of the Portswood and Commodore hotels in 2023 where she now oversees a combined 335 rooms.

Data released by the Department of Tourism in 2022, indicates that despite making up nearly 70% of the tourism workforce, women hold less than 40% of managerial positions in South Africa. In general management roles, this drops to 20% and to between five and eight per cent of board positions.

But, Naidoo said she can see this starting to change. Approximately 80% of the interviewees the hotel has seen in its recruitment drive across roles over the past six months, have been women.

“It’s very encouraging. In the same light, as good as 85% of the people we deal with in this business  ̶  agents, tour operators, and business partners are also women. So I think they’re gaining more positions in the industry.”

Naidoo said that even in traditionally male-dominated roles like driving and tour guiding, she’s noticing a steady increase in the numbers of women.

“Post-Covid, a lot of skilled tourism employees left the industry and we lost some skills but it is getting better. Now, the majority of the students we’re seeing are also women,” she said.

Naidoo pointed out that that while the skills shortage is starting to stabilise in certain positions, you do require skill which comes from years of experience.

“You need to know a lot about a lot. You need to understand all the entities that link into it, like agents, tour operators, transfers, tour companies. Because when guests come and talk to you, you can’t say, I’m not sure. You need to be able to advise them.”

The Legacy Group sends staff on educational trips so that they can experience the attractions they are recommending. These could include trips to local game reserves, restaurants or attractions like Table Mountain, many of which staff had not had the opportunity to experience.

“That’s something very personal for me because its very difficult for you to sell something if you don’t know what you’re selling,” Naidoo highlighted.

“It’s a life-changing, altering experience they would otherwise not have had,” she said.

Naidoo said the Legacy group had given her the tools to grow in her career.

“Legacy has given me opportunity, it’s helped me grow and develop into who I am today as a person and as a manager. They’ve mentored me and continue to do so and also helped me to grow in the industry.”

According to Naidoo, it’s a challenging career that is also filled with fun.

“Yes, it’s long hours and there is little time for family in the beginning but it does settle. But for young people going into this industry, it can be so much more. It is actually a career filled with a lot of reward and fulfilment and it can take you as far as you will allow it to take you,” she said.