NEWCASTLE: Michelle inspires residents to ‘meet themselves’
Watch the exclusive video on our Facebook page for a chance to win!
For Michelle Van Onna Green-Thompson, travel is the perfect opportunity to ‘meet yourself’.
The award-winning author and former Newcastle resident recently scooped a coveted AfriCAN Authors Award for the second edition of her travel book, Those Who Travel Meet Themselves, and to celebrate the achievement, will be giving away two signed copies of her book to Newcastle Advertiser readers.
The full interview with Michelle is available in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser (October 9).
Michelle’s advice to youngsters who are thinking of a career in the travel and tourism industry is to have respect.
“You need to ensure you have respect for people throughout your journey and involve yourself in both school and extramural activities. For me, it was my yoga teaching and volunteering activities which got me headhunted. I was also very intrigued by how I communicated with people and made anyone, regardless of their age, feel comfortable. This turned out to be a winning opportunity for me and landed me a job I love,” said Michelle.
Challenges in the travel industry due to lockdown
Michelle, who has been in the industry for more than six years, said the effects of lockdown restrictions had caused utter devastation across the world.
“So many people are either on reduced pay or no pay at all except for UIF, if they haven’t lost their employment altogether. The tourism industry was hit when it was on an all-time high – apart from issues with crime, things were going well,” she commented.
She believes the industry was growing.
“The travel industry was essentially one of the only industries at the moment which hires people straight from matric. The pay would be basic, but you could get some work experience. Now, we are starting from scratch with scared clients… all I can say is that we need to encourage travel while adhering to safety guidelines.”
Michelle is firmly ‘proudly South African’ and has encouraged residents to buy and support local in order to ‘keep the industry alive’. She said she often encourages friends, through social media, to book local weekend away.
“Promotion is up to us because if we do not support local business, jobs will be lost.”
How to win a signed copy of the award-winning second edition of Those Who Travel Meet Themselves:
- Watch and like the video on the Newcastle Advertiser Facebook page.
- Send an email to reveshni@caxton.co.za and answer the following question: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- Remember to include your full name, surname and contact details in order to be eligible for the prize.
T’s and C’s apply – the judge’s decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
Contact us
WhatsApp: 082 874 5550
Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za
Make sure you follow us for regular updates:
