Asata appoints gm

ASATA has created a new
role – that of gm – to
support ceo, Otto de
Vries. Kim Koen takes up the
position, effective this month.
“It became evident that
Asata needed a very senior
person who provided a
strong support role in terms
of delivering the various
outcomes and the strategy
and mandate that we’ve been
given by the board and by the
members,” Otto says.
Over the past few years,
Asata’s role has become more
strategic within the industry, he
says. “People aren’t phoning
about helping them with their
ADMs any more. For example,
we’ve been working closely
with government on a strategic
level that we probably never
had the capacity or the ability
to do before.”
Asata is also trying to
underpin the professionalism
of the travel sector during a
time of massive change, Otto
says. “The work that we are
doing around the 21st century
travel agent is indicative
of our thought-leadership
role in the industry. We are
providing not only support, but
also guidance and direction
for the industry. In order to
achieve that, we need strong,
experienced, professional
senior people.”
Kim has worked with Asata
on a number of projects in
her capacity as divisional
head of Kitso Consulting. She
also has experience working
at HRG Rennies Travel and
American Express. Kim says
her main strength lies in
project management and she
is excited to work with Asata
on the projects that are on the
table, including Asata’s work
with National Treasury,
SA Tourism and its ITC
framework.