Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Inbound Operations (TIO) made the announce-ment that Martin Botha, previously the MD of Welcome Tourism Services, has been appointed to the prestigious position of Chief Operating Officer of TIO Brands.

“Recent internal changes including the departure of the Director of TIO Brands, Belinda Pedersen-Smith to Lagos (for personal reasons), contributed towards management looking within the organisation for its re-structure. Having worked for Welcome Tourism Services and TIO for ten years in positions from Financial Director, Welcome Tourism Services to IS Manager, TIO and now Managing Director Welcome Tourism Services, combined together with his huge and intimate knowledge of operations, there is no better person than Martin Botha suited to this position. He has through a focus on source market strategy, successfully restructured our business to make it slicker and will be a formidable asset in his new position”, said Wiest.

If Martin Botha has played such a strategic role within his current position as MD, where does this leave Welcome Tourism Services?

“As a result, we have decided going forward to appoint a Management Committee to run Welcome Tourism Services, comprising Felicity Vieira (Marketing / Business Development Director); Sabine Blehle (Sales Director) and Nelita Ferreira (Operations Director). We did this a few years ago with TIO’s Your Africa brand and it has been a great success. As most members of the travel industry are aware, the aforementioned three ladies are a strong cohesive team known internationally to all TIO’s partners. I have no doubt therefore, that they will lead the Welcome Tourism Services brand to beyond my expectations, and take the business to the next level of success, concluded Wiest.