By Fredrick Obura
In her office, Nev Jiwani, publisher and founder of the Leisure and Travel Guides East Africa talks of her tactful entrepreneurial journey.
Her ultimate goal is to put Kenya on the global map as one of the best tourism destinations.
It is a mission that has seen her spend two decades producing information and guides targeting tourism industry.
Nev Jiwani |
One of her products "Go Places Magazine" showcases the country’s best travel options for leisure and business.
It unveils dining establishments in the country, has entertainment news and general lifestyle information.
Two decades ago, she came up with a competition targeting achievers in the hotel industry. Go Places Restaurant and Chefs Delight Awards brought together 30 different cuisines, and more than 300 restaurants countrywide.
Under the award programme, the entrepreneur has created four websites dedicated towards promoting culinary arts.
"There are many factors which inspired me into the business, the most overriding being an undying passion for travel," she says.
After completing her O-levels, she took an International Air Transport Association (IATA) course and immediately after, got a job with a prominent local travel agency where she worked for two years.
"Kenya is a land endowed with magnificent destinations, diverse cultures and more that needs to be explored, enjoyed, appreciated and conserved."
While starting out in her career, she saw a gap in publications that represent the true beauty of the country.
"I started my company — Leisure and Travel Guides — in 1993 with a vision to be the ultimate information portal for outbound and inbound travellers," she says.
She says hardwork, commitment, family, and staff support has seen the business succeed. From a handful six clients when it was launched, the business now boasts of more than 500 clients drawn from three to five star hotels, tour companies, and restaurants among other businesses in the tourism sector who have supported her.
The enterprise now has about 60 employees in marketing, sales, public relations and other components of the business, now spread in the wider east Africa.
Jiwani says the country has unexploited potential in conference tourism, an area her business is currently looking into.
As a launching pad to this grand dream, she recently unveiled a directory focusing on conference facilities in the region.
"Conferencing has a lot of potential and could be another way we can sell our country as a tourism destination. We are working together with hoteliers to showcase conference facilities to visitors," she says.
Her conference idea comes at a time when the country is trying to diversify its tourism product offering from the wildlife and coastal tourism.
Jiwani attributes her success into the publishing business to innovation, consistency and delivery.
"My philosophy revolves around consistency, quality and delivery, I believe in myself and the products," she says.
Her 20 years efforts in the industry are paying off. Jiwani has earned recognition at local and international scenes. During this year’s March Kenya Tourism Awards, she was voted best overall in Media Award category.
The entrepreneur has also won the International Quality Crown Award in London. The awards recognise companies committed to leadership, innovation and technology.
