South Africa’s tourism industry, contributing 8.8% of GDP and supporting 1.68 million jobs in 2024, highlights how essential skills development and future-ready training are for creating meaningful employment and sustaining growth.
Dr Reneé Minnaar is uniquely positioned to do this, as a hospitality and tourism education expert with over 20 years of experience across industry, learning and development, and consulting.
She holds a specialised PhD in Tourism Management from North-West University, making her highly specialised in this field. Reneé knows how to turn knowledge into action, and develop skills, always adding value where she goes.
She is a sought-after powerhouse of expertise in workforce development. Having specialised in manpower forecasting and skills gaps, she understands the emerging skills and innovation needed for future careers and has designed curriculum aligned with SETA accreditation and NQF standards.
In her 15 years in higher education, she has successfully trained thousands of adult learners, preparing hundreds for the luxury tourism job market.
Reneé has equipped adult learners across diverse industries and several countries – through blended learning, both online and in-person, individually and in group settings, and interactive workshops – with the practical skills, industry knowledge, and workplace readiness needed to succeed professionally and personally.
Through this custom facilitation and real-world case studies, she delivers impactful training aligned with global best practices. Her graduates excel, many rising to managerial and leadership positions.
Reneé has dedicated her career to the luxury travel sector – curating and managing high-end experiences at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, and later training expert travel specialists at &Beyond Travel.
She also leverages her luxury service-oriented expertise to enhance soft skills and guest experiences across a range of service industries. She delivers leadership development and soft skills training to prepare future managers and frontline hospitality staff for excellence in guest service.
Having lived the industry from the inside out, she now combines her love for the travel with a deep passion for hospitality and tourism education, making a lasting impact through transformative higher education experiences.
She founded Consult Renee to bridge the gap between classroom and boardroom; academia and industry, specialising in bridging the tourism sector skills gap through targeted workforce upskilling and work readiness programmes, provides accreditation and course development, and expertly advises businesses and institutions to build future-fit talent pipelines, reimagine training, and lead with both strategy and heart; always putting the guest at the centre of the equation.
Her work is rooted in innovation, relevance, and guest-first thinking, because the future of the industry should be smart and human focused.
Whether she’s presenting, advising, or collaborating on curriculum, Reneé brings that rare mix of professionally polished and passion-fuelled energy. You cannot help but feel that you want to do good in the world after meeting her!
She’s here to make learning and development exciting and to help organisations grow with curiosity, purpose, creativity, and a little bit of magic.
Engaging talks that blend insight and energy to inspire action in tourism and hospitality.
Interactive sessions designed to build skills, spark ideas, and drive real-world impact.
Expert support in aligning education outcomes with industry and compliance standards.
Strategic input on curriculum design, learning models, and future-ready programme delivery.
Had the great privilege of seeing Renee develop programs and deliver training to countless new starters within andBeyond across our sub-Saharan business. Her attention to detail was amazing, as is her ability to deliver the content to a wide array of people from different cultures. She will be greatly missed by the team here at andBeyond. Ryan Powell, Chief Operating OfficerandBeyond
Had the great privilege of seeing Renee develop programs and deliver training to countless new starters within andBeyond across our sub-Saharan business. Her attention to detail was amazing, as is her ability to deliver the content to a wide array of people from different cultures. She will be greatly missed by the team here at andBeyond.
Dr Renee Minnaar has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries, particularly in the South African context. She is an excellent researcher and has contributed meaningfully to the body of knowledge available on these industries. It is always a pleasure to collaborate with her as she is precise, concise and efficient in achieving what she sets out to do. Marcel Kobilski, Divisional Director Human ResourcesCity Lodge Hotels Limited
Dr Renee Minnaar has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries, particularly in the South African context. She is an excellent researcher and has contributed meaningfully to the body of knowledge available on these industries. It is always a pleasure to collaborate with her as she is precise, concise and efficient in achieving what she sets out to do.
I studied under Reneé at Stenden SA. Then Reneé was second year coordinator and facilitated, among other modules, Rooms Division. Throughout my days working in front-office I would recall Reneé's lectures. This is testimony to her lecturing ability. Spot on and relevant. I have yet to meet a more dedicated and goal-directed person. Once Reneé sets her mind on achieving goals she works tirelessly until said goal is achieved. She does not allow setbacks to dissuade her from achieving her goal. Having earned her PhD in Tourism, a much under-researched field in South Africa, is but one testament to her devotion to academic work and achieving her goals.Marius Stols, Career Development LecturerStenden SA
I studied under Reneé at Stenden SA. Then Reneé was second year coordinator and facilitated, among other modules, Rooms Division. Throughout my days working in front-office I would recall Reneé's lectures. This is testimony to her lecturing ability. Spot on and relevant. I have yet to meet a more dedicated and goal-directed person. Once Reneé sets her mind on achieving goals she works tirelessly until said goal is achieved. She does not allow setbacks to dissuade her from achieving her goal. Having earned her PhD in Tourism, a much under-researched field in South Africa, is but one testament to her devotion to academic work and achieving her goals.