POLOKWANE – Mike Tauatsoala, Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) corporate communications and public relations manager, is passionate about the tourism industry.

He has been working in this industry for nine years and says this is where his heart lies.

Tauatsoala says he was a high school teacher for 20 years when he began to feel restless.

“I wanted to take a break from teaching and decided to go back to university. I obtained a degree in human resources management at the University of Johannesburg and a certificate in human resources management from Unisa,” he says. “After I finished my studies, I applied for the position as manager of employee relations at LTA and I was appointed. This is how I got my foot in the door. I have always wanted to work in the tourism industry and seized this opportunity with both hands.”

Tauatsoala explains that working with people is what makes his job as public relations manager ideal for him.

“I like to work with people from diverse backgrounds. We can learn so much from each other.”

“I just wish I knew everything about tourism so that I can educate people about the benefits and opportunities that this industry presents.” He admits that the most challenging part of his job is languages. “I wish I could be fluent in all the languages that people speak in Limpopo.”

A very vocal supporter of tourism in Limpopo, Tauatsoala names his top five favourite tourism spots in the province.

“The Bela-Bela hot springs, Lake Fundudzi in the Vhembe district, the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, the Kruger National Park, the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve near Tzaneen and the Sunland baobab tree, a tree so big that it can accommodate a small pub, are the places that I love to visit,” he says.

He stresses the importance of tourism development and explains that Limpopo’s economy rests on three pillars; agriculture, mining and tourism.

“The more people we welcome as visitors to our province, the more our economy benefits from it.”