NWU - TREES

🤝🌍 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦, 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦

This week, Prof. Elmarie Slabbert and Prof. Lindie du Plessis attended the SATSA Conference in Cape Town, joining important conversations about the future of tourism in South Africa. 🇿🇦

The conference provided a valuable opportunity to connect research, industry and ideas, highlighting the importance of meaningful partnerships in building a stronger, more resilient tourism sector.

We are proud to see our researchers actively engaging with industry and contributing to conversations that can help shape the future of South African tourism.

🌍 Together, through collaboration and knowledge exchange, we can move tourism forward.

🌍✨ 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡. 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗬. 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧. 💜

This Women’s Month, we continue to celebrate the remarkable women who are helping shape the future of tourism. 🌸

Behind every research project, classroom, publication, conference presentation, and milestone is a journey and often, a source of inspiration that made that journey possible.

Her inspiration is the person, experience, lesson, or opportunity that encouraged her to keep going.
Her journey is the path of challenges, growth, learning, and achievements that have shaped who she is today.
Her impact is the difference she makes through her research, teaching, mentorship, leadership and contribution to the tourism sector.

💐 Here’s to every woman whose journey is inspiring another woman to dream bigger, go further and make an impact.

🌱✨ 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗜𝗕𝗢𝗦, 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 & 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠

What if a cup of rooibos could inspire your next adventure?

We are thrilled to celebrate Prof. Martinette Kruger, who is leading innovative research exploring how rooibos can become a powerful destination brand for the Cederberg and a catalyst for tourism development in South Africa.

With rooibos seeds set to travel to the International Space Station in October 2026, this remarkable scientific project creates an extraordinary opportunity to introduce the Cederberg, and the story, people, culture and landscapes behind rooibos,to audiences around the world. 🚀🌱

Prof. Kruger and the TREES team, in collaboration with Curtin University, are investigating how rooibos can move beyond being a product people consume to becoming a reason to visit its place of origin. Their work explores the potential for immersive tourism experiences combining wellness, gastronomy, adventure, indigenous heritage, nature and local community stories.

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Martinette Kruger and team for putting South African tourism research at the forefront of this truly out-of-this-world story!

Read the full NWU article here: https://news.nwu.ac.za/cederberg-space-rooibos-can-take-south-african-tourism-further

From the Cederberg to space: Rooibos can take South African tourism further Rooibos has long helped to place South Africa on the international tourism map. Now, the country’s distinctive indigenous plant is preparing to leave the planet.In October 2026, rooibos seeds are scheduled to travel to the International Space Station, where they will be exposed to microgravity and...

🎓🔎 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦: 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗! 🌍🎭

Want to gain hands-on tourism research experience while attending some of South Africa’s exciting festivals and events? This is your opportunity! 🙌

We are inviting specifically Tourism students, from first year through to postgraduate level, to join our fieldwork teams and gain practical experience in tourism and event research.

📍 Upcoming fieldwork opportunities:

🎷 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
📅 25–27 September 2026
📍 Sandton, Johannesburg
✨ Transport, accommodation and a meal allowance provided.

🎭 Aardklop National Arts Festival
📅 29 September–3 October 2026
📍 Potchefstroom
✨ Lunch and a daily allowance provided.
🗣️ Important: Fieldworkers must be able to speak and understand Afrikaans.

🎶 Spring Fiesta
📅 3 October 2026
📍 Wild Waters Complex, Boksburg
✨ Transport, lunch and a daily allowance provided.

These surveys are a fantastic opportunity to build your research skills, interact with festival visitors, experience events from a research perspective, and contribute to real-world tourism research projects. 🌍📊

📌 How to sign up:
Sign-up sheets for all three surveys are available on the notice board opposite Room 234, Second Floor, Building E3. You can sign up for more than one survey if you are available. Please note that signing up indicates your interest and availability, while final fieldwork teams will be confirmed separately.

🚀 Don't just study tourism—experience it, research it, and be part of it!

🎭📚 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗦

On Saturday, 8 August, Prof. Martinette Kruger and Prof. Elmarie Slabbert had the privilege of participating in an insightful panel discussion at Kalfiefees 2026 in Hermanus.

Moderated by Leon Gropp, the panel brought together different perspectives on the role of arts festivals in local and regional development. Prof. Kruger and Prof. Slabbert were joined by Frieda Lloyd, Manager of Overberg Economic Development and Tourism, and Cllr Clinton Lerm.

The discussion explored how arts festivals can contribute to local economic development, tourism, community development and cultural sustainability – and how research, local government, tourism organisations and festival stakeholders can work together to strengthen these impacts.

Thank you to Kalfiefees for the invitation and for creating a platform for meaningful dialogue. Conversations such as these are invaluable in bringing research and practice together and exploring how arts festivals can contribute to stronger local economies, communities and destinations.

🌍✨ 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡. 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦. ✨🌍

This Women’s Month, we celebrate the women of TREES whose journeys, experiences, mentors, colleagues, students, and opportunities have shaped the way they contribute to tourism research, education, and the future of our industry. 💜

Their messages remind us that inspiration can come from many places, such as a mentor who sees our potential, colleagues who challenge and encourage us, students who inspire continuous learning, or simply the courage to embrace opportunities and step forward.

Happy Women’s Month from TREES! 💐✨

🏆 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗: 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙. 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘 𝗞𝗥𝗨𝗚𝗘𝗥! 🎉

We proudly congratulate Prof. Martinette Kruger on being awarded a prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) C2 Rating.

This recognition is a testament to Prof. Kruger's sustained contributions to tourism research, her commitment to research excellence, and the significant impact her work continues to make within South Africa and internationally. Her dedication to advancing knowledge, mentoring postgraduate students, and fostering innovation has helped shape the future of tourism research and strengthened the reputation of TREES and North-West University.

Congratulations, Prof. Kruger, on this well-deserved milestone. We celebrate your success and look forward to the continued impact of your inspiring research journey! 🌟👏

🌊 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗬

From 25–30 July 2026, Prof Serena Lucrezi visited Cape RADD to lecture students from Discover Eden, exploring the vital connections between people and our oceans.

The sessions focused on Ocean Literacy, marine social science, Citizen Science, and scientific tourism, encouraging students to think critically about the relationship between society, conservation, and marine ecosystems. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, students gained a deeper understanding of why healthy oceans matter and how informed communities can contribute to marine conservation.

A sincere thank you to Mike Barron and the team at Cape RADD for the wonderful opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and inspire future changemakers.

✈️🎓 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟: 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦!

Congratulations to Dr Akhona Melani on the successful completion of her PhD in Tourism Management !

Her doctoral research, "A Predictive Model for Managing Air Travel Behaviour During Pandemics," makes a significant contribution to tourism and aviation research by developing an evidence-based framework to better understand and manage traveller behaviour during future health crises.

Promoter: Prof Martinette Kruger
Co-Promoter: Prof Tafadzwa Matiza

Congratulations, Dr Melani, on this outstanding milestone. We wish you continued success as you make a lasting impact on tourism research and practice! 👏🎉

🌍♻️ 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚

Prof Tafadzwa Matiza traveled to Manchester, UK, from June 29 to July 11, 2026, to attend the annual Academy of Marketing conference, where he served as a session chair for the Place Marketing session and presented his work "Green Nation Branding: A Contemporary Approach to Sustainable Place Marketing for Tourism," which focused on strategies for promoting green tourism in African nations through concerted Nation Branding.

During his visit to Manchester, he met with TREES Research Fellow Dr. E. Woyo at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to finalize a publication, brainstorm ideas for new articles, and advance his G-NB initiative.

🌱 Every international collaboration strengthens our research, expands our networks, and creates new opportunities to advance tourism knowledge!