Africa’s tourism industry was the second fastest growing in the world before the COVID-19 outbreak that claimed lives, crashed the economy, and affected the growth of tourism.
Rene Mentor is a tour guide and founder of Rene Tours, a platform that was borne out of the love for her people and her city. Her passion for tourism was incredible and made her offer people the best service and valued guests to go back home with just beautiful memories.
Rene was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, she started her career as a tour guide working directly work from agents and offering her services by promoting and telling them about South Africa’s tourism potentials and destination sites. In 2012, Rene ventured out on my own to build a network of businesses despite the health and educational challenges that she overcame and birth RENE TOURS. She aligned and competed with some top tour operators.
The single mother of four, and five grandkids carved a niche for herself by promoting tourist destinations, products, and services. She is a member of the tourism organization Cape Town Tourism, CTGA” Cape Tour Guide Association, WITCT” Women in Tourism Western Cape. NFTGA” National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates. Also a registered Guide in Eswatini
In this interview with Adewale Adenrele, Rene Tours CEO speaks on her passion for tourism, the challenges and the success stories, Covid-19 and its Impact on Tourism”, She also speaks about why she dedicates her expertise and knowledge for her continent as one voice, one promotion, and one marketing to the benefit of Africa.
Below are Excerpt:
What are the challenges you faced while doing the travel and tourism business and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me was not having my vehicles and direct work from agents, I overcame that by reaching out to agents, offering my services, and telling them about South Africa. Of course, not everyone responds, but a few reached out to me. The Travel agents tend to go with the bigger Tour Operators.
Tell us about Reno tours and services.
Was born out of love for my beautiful City and being a single parent. I wanted to do something I love, and that would give me the flexibility to spend time with my kids as well, I started in 2010, by working for big operators,but it was really hard work and long hours for very little money. I decided in 2012, to venture out on my own. I advertised and literally walked to hotels and guest houses dropping pamphlet and business cards, I was still freelancing for companies. I started to build a network of businesses who have my work, and then of course came COVID.
Suddenly I had no work, and never finished high school as I grew up poor, and during the years of apartheid, suddenly I applied for other jobs, but everyone was looking for a matric/high school certificate. During COVID I suffered a stroke and recovered fully, and that’s when I decided to finish high school. So in 2022, I became matriculated, and finally got a high school certificate. I also got COVID during the time I was studying, it was very difficult, but I was determined, as I only had 8 months to prepare for six subjects to write my exams. All this made me determined to make a success of Rene’s Tours, I told myself if I could survive COVID and a stroke and finish high school, then God has bigger plans for me.
In 2020, the global tourism industry was celebrating a record year for travel. Now, it’s decimated and facing a recovery that could take some time. Can you tell us how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the travel and tourism industry?
The COVID pandemic was really bad, as all work was canceled due to the borders being closed. And absolutely no support from the Government, not one cent. After almost two and a half years, without income, we were promised by our government that we would get R1500 for the first three months, but not one cent was received. It was a very hard time for the industry so many colleagues lost their vehicles, the stroke I didn’t share with many, but I’m just telling you, as I think and hope it will help other women especially, not to give up less and homes
In tourism, we have aspects of tourism like educational tourism, religious tourism, and medical tourism which area has South Africa’s selling point of tourism to the world, Can you tell us the major attractions in South African?
Cultural tourism is the biggest seller, visitors enjoy Cape Town especially, as it has a very diverse landscape, Table Mountain/Robben Island/The Cape of Good Hope/ V&A (Waterfront) Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens the Constantia Wine region, those are known as the Big Six in Cape Town to visit. We also have the “Stellenbosch” wine region where the bulk of South Africa’s wines are produced, much loved by international visitors and locals. Up North, we have the amazing ” Kruger National Park”
Cape Town is surrounded by mountains and oceans, and has been rated the best city in the world a couple of times, Cape Town also has the amazing “Garden Route” an absolute paradise that stretches from Mosselbay to Port Elizabeth
Many destinations anticipate travelers’ behavior will change in the virus’s wake. What measures have you put in place to sensitize and educate potential tourists/travelers to erase the fear of COVID-19?
Firstly, it’s important to make sure they are vaccinated, I had three vaccines, and it makes them comfortable, I also speak to them about how we can avoid it, by keeping sanitizer and hand wash in the vehicle, also keeping masks, in case someone wants one I make sure I open the windows and tell them that’s how I look after and make sure they are protected. I have noticed that just after we started working, a lot of companies wanted a copy of your vaccine on file
As a tour broker, kindly share with us your recent traveling experience.
I visited Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Eswatini, England, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
I often traveled to England while I worked as an Au Pair years ago, as my employer was British. In the year, 2015 I went to Germany for the first time, to attend the wedding of my SA friend who married a German lady he met on a tour in SA, the experience was amazing as it was my first trip to Europe, on the same tour I visited Switzerland and spent time with South African friends who live in Austria, I drove through the Biz Buin mountains and experienced real snow. I went back to Germany a few times to visit. my friends, and on one visit I took my youngest child with me. I enjoyed the food/learned about the history and the culture.
Namibia was absolutely beautiful, have been more than once, and driving on a road with desert on one side and ocean on the other side is breathtaking.
Eswatini is one of my favorite places to visit, absolutely love the adventure with my clients.
Botswana, doing the River Safari, and watching the amazing Sunset, are something I will never forget, and of course the Dinner under the Bins, with the cultural dances. I have also visited Victoria Falls, words cannot describe what I experienced there, absolutely breathtaking.
I also speak basic German. Fluent in English and Afrikaans, so have done some big Dutch groups on 14 and 21-day tours
African ethnic groups and tribes have customs and traditions that are unique to their culture. What do you like about African Culture?
Compassion and humanity “Ubuntu”. The closeness of communities, and religion. Sport is a big part of our culture and is always something that unites the country
Thanks for sharing with us.
You are welcome.
