For Jeannie Sarno, Women’s Month is both a reminder and a celebration.

“Women’s Month is a special time of the year where we are celebrated and recognised for the many hats we wear, not only today but from the beginning of time. Personally, I don’t wait until August to celebrate women. We should show appreciation throughout the year, even the smallest gesture can have a huge impact on a woman’s life.”

Sarno believes women are instrumental in shaping tourism in uMhlanga and Durban.

“Women are extremely talented when it comes to their versatility. We are able to look at the smaller, finer details that make up the bigger picture and that’s crucial in tourism, which is all about creating positive experiences for visitors from the moment they arrive until they leave.”

Also read:  Umhlanga Women Achievers leader celebrates strength, connection

Although leadership often comes with challenges, Sarno says she has been fortunate to work in spaces that value her input.

“My colleagues in the tourism sector have always appreciated my opinions. At times, we may feel less equal to challenge, but I’ve realised that this is sometimes our own personal doubt, rather than an actual barrier. In platforms like the eThekwini Presidential Working Group, men and women are represented equally, and I’ve always felt my voice mattered.”

Through the Umhlanga Tourism Committee, Sarno and her team provide ongoing opportunities for women.

“We offer many workshops during the year that empower our members, and we are always available to support women who are hardworking and willing to go the extra mile.”

Asked about women-owned businesses that deserve recognition, Sarno is quick to acknowledge the resilience of her peers.

“Honestly, all the incredible women in our industry deserve praise. If they are still operating after all the hardships post-Covid, they should be commended for their ability to get up, dust themselves off and keep going. Many had to adapt overnight just to survive, proving their strength as entrepreneurs.”

Also read: Breaking barriers: young woman’s journey to becoming a diesel mechanic

For Sarno, promoting uMhlanga on a global stage is inseparable from creating opportunities for women locally.

“Showcasing uMhlanga and its surroundings as a destination automatically opens doors for women at a local level,” she said.

“Tourism is vast and full of opportunities. Education is key, but passion is what sets you apart. Work hard, be determined, and have purpose. That combination will take you far,” she advised young women hoping to enter tourism.

Sarno finds inspiration not only in celebrated leaders but also in the everyday women of the industry.

“I am inspired by the woman who wakes up at dawn to prepare her family and still greets guests with a warm South African smile, the woman who helps a tourist at her own expense, and the woman who fights for what the industry needs while empowering herself with knowledge. These are the women who truly inspire me.”

Mentorship, she says, is vital in uplifting the next generation.

“If we are in a position to mentor others and don’t share our knowledge, we’re doing the industry an injustice. Seeing the results of mentorship makes you proud to know you’re strengthening tourism with the right tools.”

Sarno hopes her legacy will be one of passion and purpose.

“Love what you do, be knowledgeable, and have passion, passion and more passion. With that, everything else falls into place.”

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