Reed Exhibitions has appointed Megan Oberholzer as General Manager for Reed Exhibitions’ Travel, Tourism and Sports Portfolio, effective as of June 1.

Oberholzer previously held the title of General Manager of Marketing Travel Tourism and Sports Portfolio. “I am excited about my new role as General Manager for Reed Exhibitions’ Travel, Tourism and Sports Portfolio. Having worked on WTM Africa, IBTM Africa and ILTM Africa over the past three years with Reed Exhibitions, I am looking forward to this exciting new challenge and enhancing the current exhibition offering, as well as growing our new health and fitness show, FIBO Global Fitness, which launches in October this year,” says Oberholzer.

On a related note, Chardonnay Marchesi, South Africa Portfolio Director for Reed Exhibitions’ Travel, Tourism and Sports Portfolio has left her role at Reed Exhibitions.

Carol Weaving, Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions, comments on the changes: “We are naturally going to miss having Chardonnay Marchesi with us at Reed Exhibitions, but are extremely fortunate to have the very capable Megan Oberholzer waiting in the wings to take on more responsibility and to grow our Travel, Tourism and Sports Portfolio in the future. Oberholzer will be working very closely with myself in her new role as we continue to grow and improve the travel, tourism and sports events going forward.”

Gavin Rennie has joined Off2Africa DMC as one of the company’s directors, after holding the position of General Manager Sales and Marketing at Africa Albida Tourism for three years.

Off2Africa was founded 17 years ago by Director Beck Edwards and long-time friend of Rennie’s. The two formed a partnership when Rennie joined the company, and with his background in tourism, marketing and sales, Rennie hopes to further grow the company.

Rennie says he took the opportunity to join Off2Africa as he saw an opportunity for more Zimbabwe-based DMCs, adding: “Zimbabwe is open for business to the international community, and is extremely well placed as a leading tourism destination.”

Rennie, who represented the country since the age of nine playing cricket, said the mindset he developed from the sport he has taken with him into tourism. During his cricket years, Rennie said he got the chance to travel and experience the world, elaborating: “That is where travel really got into my blood.”

Looking to the future, Rennie says he hopes to grow the DMC in a multi-faceted way, with a few divisions already established. Off2Africa will place special focus on fully independent travel (FIT), and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), says Rennie, adding: “We believe MICE is a strong segment within tourism and that it is going to grow Zimbabwe, as the country has the facilities.” As for incentive travel, Rennie says it used to be big business in Victoria Falls, however he would like to see the ripple effect travel through the rest of Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, Off2Africa offers experiential FIT and group travel, as well as self-drive, private guided, and specialist interest safaris. Rennie mentions that the DMC is completely independent and supports a full-range of activities and services in tourism, including cultural tours.

As it stands, Off2Africa consists of a team of seven members, with the plans to grow the existing team. Off2Africa is based in Harare, and Rennie says the company plans to open offices in Victoria Falls.

aha Hotels and Lodges has announced the appointments of Jannie Claassen as General Manager at Ivory Tree Game Lodge, and Alwyn Kellerman as General Manager at Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge, both of which are situated in the Pilansberg National Park, South Africa.

Claassen’s experience includes hotel operations, conferencing, food and beverage and leadership in general management. He has held various positions over the years, having worked as GM at Medjumbe Private Island Resort in Mozambique, Deputy GM and Food and Beverage Manager at Double Tree by Hilton, Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa in Indonesia, GM at Paradise @ Koh Yao and Kanda Residence, both in Thailand.

Kellerman gained a greater part of his management experience through the various management positions he has held, including Deputy GM at Bakubung Hotel & Lodge, GM at SOPA Lodges, and GM at Hotel White Sands, Resort & Conference Centre. He has also worked for Sun International at Sun City’s Palace Hotel and Thaba Nchu Sun Hotel & Casino.

James Rattos has joined Sun Africa Hotels as Group General Manager, following the restructuring of the company’s management after former Group CEO, Mohammed Hersi left the company after one year in the position.

Rattos held the position of GM of the Madhvani Marasa Chobe Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda. Prior to this, Rattos was GM of Enashipai Resort & Spa and Director of Sales, as well as Food and Beverage Manager at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

In his new capacity, Rattos will oversee operations of the Sun Africa Beach Resort and the Nyali Sun Africa Resort and Spa, as well as the Lake Naivasha Country Club.

Elwana Collection has appointed new General Managers at Kilindi Zanzibar, namely Adam Howard and Kim Juergens.

Emma Metcalfe has been appointed as Sales and Marketing Manager at Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort in Diani, Kenya.

Annicia Manyaapelo has been appointed Integrated Business Director on the South African Tourism account at FCB Joburg.

Jessie Bligh of Emerging Destinations has joined The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) Executive Board.