The Tourism Marketing Levy South Africa (TOMSA) is delighted to introduce Nils Heckscher as the new Chairman of its board of directors.

Heckscher formally took on the post at the TOMSA board meeting held at the end of May. He takes over from Rob Williams, who has been Chair since 2007. However Williams has agreed to fulfil the role of the Deputy Chairman.

Nils Heckscher is the Managing Director of the Winchester Mansions Hotel in Cape Town and he is also chairman of the Cape Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA.

In congratulating Heckscher on his appointment, Mmatšatši Marobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa – administers of TOMSA, said “It is both a passionate commitment to the travel and tourism coupled with practical knowledge and experience that Nils will bring to the role.”

Since its inception in 1999 the TOMSA levy collectors have collected a staggering R395 million, the levy collectors represent the best in the tourism industry, those business people who understand the bigger picture and are willing to participate in TOMSA so that we all benefit.

TOMSA monies are collected from a variety of players in the industry (car rental, tour operators and hotels, for example) who take a percent of monies charged to their clients for services rendered and contribute it to TOMSA. The TBCSA manages the funds, which is ultimately injected into South Africa’s destination marketing efforts by South African Tourism.

Accepting his new role Heckscher said “I feel privileged to be taking on a role in supporting the work of TOMSA, and will certainly help to reach more industry role players in the quest to get their participation in TOMSA – “and I look forward to doing what I can to make TOMSA even more valued by the industry over the coming years.” 

Thabiso Tlelai, Chairman of TBCSA said Heckscher has demonstrated energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the tourism through his extensive experience as a practising tourism stakeholder but also in his current work in the Western Cape as a product owner and chairman of FEDHASA. “We look forward to the valuable new perspective he will now bring to leading TOMSA.”

Other members of the board include Franco Jordaan (Court Classique Suite Hotel Pretoria), Alan Louw (Lesedi Cultural Village), Janade du Plessis (Southern Sun Hotel Group), Andre Viljoen (Thompson Travel Group), Sheila Sikitla (The View Guesthouse), Glynis Lello (Gooderson Leisure Corporation) and Wayne Duvenage (Avis).