Interview with Kennedy Khoza, Emzini Guesthouse owner
19. Jan, 2010
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Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your tourism business?
My name is Kennedy Qiniso Khoza, I own/manage Emzini Guesthouse, which is located in Bloemfontein. My establishment is ideally located in the suburb of Universitas, that is 700m from the University of the Free State & Universitas Hospital, 4km’s from the main mall & shopping centres and also about 4km’s from the Mangaung Stadium – one of the FIFA™ 2010 World Cup host stadiums.
The guesthouse offers 10 en-suite luxury rooms, each opening out to a private garden. The guesthouse also offers entertainment & conferencing facilities. For visuals please check www.emzini.net.
What were you doing before launching your tourism business and what inspired it?
I was campaign sales and marketing manager at Vodacom SA. The shortage of accommodation in Bloemfontein during large sports & cultural events inspired me to establish Emzini Guesthouse.
What is your educational background?
I studied for a BComm degree, majoring in Business Economics & Industrial Psychology.
What three industry blogs do you read daily, to stay abreast of your sector?
I don’t read any blogs at the moment. I would love to get more time to read industry blogs but sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day. However, I do receive a daily newsletter from the Bloemfontein B&B association.
What does a press release mean to your business?
A press release is a great marketing opportunity and as a small establishment it is very difficult to fund my own ‘above the line’ marketing campaign.
Social media is the current buzz word, is your business active in that space?
Yes, I have received various positive comments on WOMF, an online ‘word of mouth forum’ where the public gets to voice their opinions on local products and services, regarding customer experiences at Emzini guesthouse. I also regularly connect to www.womf.co.za.
What role does the annual Tourism Indaba play for your tourism business?
Unfortunately Emzini guesthouse has never attended Tourism Indaba but since entering ETEYA I am confident that my establishment will get the opportunity to be featured at Tourism Indaba.
Does your tourism business belong to any professional trade organization?
No, since my establishment is tourism graded, I assume that I am affiliated to SA Tourism. I am registered on the Bloemfontein B&B association.
What are your short and long term goals for your business?
My short-term goal is to renovate the guesthouse. It has been operating for two years and it is time to give it a face lift; the plan is to re-paint the guesthouse, repair paving, and convert the current kitchen to an industrial kitchen.
Establishing a second guesthouse, to be called Emzini Lodge is a long-term goal of mine. The lodge will be based on the same concept of individually themed chalets and rooms based on SA’s diverse cultures as the guesthouse.
What are major challenges that are a stumbling block in growing your tourism business?
Finances and sourcing competent & qualified staff at a reasonable rate.
What role does your website play in your business and are you happy with its current format?
My website is really great; it encompasses the essence of South African cultures and gives the visitor a good feel of the guesthouse.
How do potential guests/clients reach your business?
Via the website; www.emzini.net, call us on 051 525 2800, or send us a fax on 051 525 2802.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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