ED SPOTLIGHT: Carli Abrantes charts new horizons at Enjoy Travel Namibia

Carli Abrantes, the executive director of Enjoy Travel Namibia, says people and travel have always been at the centre of her life and career.“I am an extroverted, goal-oriented and driven individual who finds energy in connecting with people and building meaningful relationships,” Abrantes said.Born in Cape Town, Abrantes spent part of her childhood in Lusaka, Zambia, before returning to South Africa and eventually settling in Namibia in 2014.Her many travels across southern Africa shaped her love of people and culture. “That constant exposure to travel and new cultures has always been a defining part of who I am, and it naturally influenced the direction of my career path," she said. Before joining the tourism sector, Abrantes worked as a teacher for nine years. The subsequent switch to the tourism industry, she explained, was motivated by a desire to combine her passion for people with travel. “A friend introduced me to Enjoy Travel, and the vision of the company immediately resonated with me. I joined as a client executive, and within four months I was promoted to executive director,” she said.Enjoying the adventure In her current role, Abrantes is focused on expanding Enjoy Travel’s footprint. “My role is to grow Enjoy Travel’s presence across southern Africa. This includes expanding our client base in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, while maintaining strong relationships with our existing partners,” she explained.She also highlighted the importance of both education and experience in her career. “Education gives you structure, discipline and perspective, while experience gives you practical know-how. In tourism and travel, experience cannot be replaced,” she said.Looking back at her challenges, Abrantes said starting as a teacher at a young age made it difficult for people to take her seriously. “I was just 23 and often felt that people struggled to take me seriously. I had to work extra hard to prove myself and earn respect,” she said.Looking ahead One of her proudest moments came when Enjoy Travel quickly reached a milestone. “One moment that really stands out for me was when Enjoy Travel reached a client base of 50 and we did it within just four months of starting out,” she said.On the future of travel in Namibia, Abrantes is optimistic. "We 're seeing a growing demand for experiences that are not only affordable and accessible but also authentic and meaningful." Moreover, she noted that "while we started primarily with accommodation, our vision is much broader. In the near future, we’ll be expanding our market base to include restaurants and activities."Her advice to young people is to stay curious and adaptable. “Don’t be afraid to take risks or step outside your comfort zone, some of the best opportunities come from saying ‘yes’ before you feel fully ready."

ED SPOTLIGHT: Carli Abrantes charts new horizons at Enjoy Travel Namibia

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Republikein 2025-11-03

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ED SPOTLIGHT: Carli Abrantes charts new horizons at Enjoy Travel Namibia

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