Africa Travel WeekCompassline Africa Tours, owned by Tanya Newel, has been operating since 2005, creating itineraries and packages for both the domestic and international market – all while leaving lasting memories of Africa.
Q&A with Tanya Newel
How did the idea for your business come about?
We needed to bridge the gap for small businesses to attain better rate access by supporting each other.
How did you come up with the name for your company/experience?
The name Compassline leads with the instrument used to guide people to a destination point. The line indicates the way to get there. That is how we see ourselves. We are an instrument that gets people to where they need to be.
Who is your ideal customer and why?
We market to both the inbound and domestic markets, opening the doors to KwaZulu-Natal and the rest of Southern Africa.
Why do you offer the very best experience/product for your customers?
We are experienced and have great knowledge and understanding of the products in our portfolio. We are confident in what we are recommending to our clients.
What is your greatest hope for your business?
To have a good, reliable, professional name in the industry through our ethical behaviour. We want to inspire people and develop young ambassadors of our province by example and education.
What has been the most satisfying achievement in your business?
Compassline provided a training course for SMMEs, via an MOU with TKZN, on work ethic and trade show conduct.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who want to get into tourism?
It is a beautiful industry to be in. The rewards are in the experiences you offer, not monetary. You work hard, but you get to see the value of your labour through satisfaction, respect for human life and appreciation of our country’s fauna and flora.
If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently?
Not sure how to answer this because we are here today through our trials and tribulations … these made us grow, learn and become stronger. Technology is racing ahead of us and creating extra pressures to be clearer, more visible and it takes up a lot of time … perhaps it’s time to stop and smell the roses more!
