Mashoto Mokgethi, CEO of South Africa Tourism’s Sho’t Left campaign, took center stage at the African Travel Indaba held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Conversation Centre in Durban (Durban ICC) from May 13th to 16th. The event served as a platform to promote the upcoming Sho’t Left Week, scheduled from September 2nd to 8th, 2024.
Mokgethi’s presence at the prestigious event aimed to highlight the simplicity of travel, likening it to taking a casual turn (“sho’t left”) while driving. The Sho’t Left Week seeks to encourage individuals to explore the diverse municipalities of South Africa, thereby stimulating the country’s tourism industry.
During her address, Mokgethi emphasized the inclusive nature of the campaign, inviting businesses of all sizes to participate without any cost. “We encourage businesses small and large to be part of our campaign. We market it, they just need to join, and it is free to join,” stated Mokgethi.
She further elaborated on the campaign’s objective of showcasing over five hundred destinations across the country.
Central to the Sho’t Left initiative is its upcoming Travel Week, slated for September 2nd to 8th, offering enticing discounts of up to 50% for travelers. Mokgethi reiterated the campaign’s reliance on partnerships with businesses, urging them to collaborate to make the discounts possible.
In addition to promoting travel, Mokgethi underscored the importance of sustainability within the tourism sector. She highlighted South Africans’ growing awareness of sustainability practices, emphasizing the preference for eco-friendly alternatives such as glass bottles over plastics. “South Africans are looking to see that you are taking care of your stuff, you are treating them well,” Mokgethi remarked, stressing the societal expectation of responsible business conduct.
As South Africa prepares to host Sho’t Left Week in September, Mokgethi’s presence at Africa’s Travel Indaba marks a significant step towards fostering partnerships, promoting tourism, and embracing sustainability within the travel industry.
