College of Economic & Management Sciences

Unisan honoured with international Leadership Excellence Award

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Prof Cina van Zyl, Professor in Applied Management at Unisa's College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), was honoured at the ITSA-Amity Regional Conference for Asia (2025) for her outstanding contributions to tourism knowledge and practice.

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Prof Cina van Zyl

The mission of the International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA)  is to encourage interaction and cooperation between members in developing and developed countries, and the organisation is devoted to scholarly exchange between researchers and practitioners focusing on the growth of tourism worldwide.

The conference, hosted at Amity University in Noida, India, focused on themes such as sustainable development, regenerative tourism, digital ecosystems and green investments, drawing over 200 international participants from universities across six continents.

During the event, Van Zyl was presented with the Leadership Excellence Award by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India's Minister of Tourism. She describes the accolade as both overwhelming and unexpected. "It was a profound honour to receive this award. ITSA has played a crucial role in fostering collaboration between developing and developed nations, and I am privileged to contribute to its mission," she said.

Amity University, recognised as India's top university for Business and Economics by Times Higher Education's 2025 subject rankings, provided an ideal backdrop for the event. Van Zyl's award underscores her dedication to advancing global tourism discourse, aligning perfectly with the conference's focus on bridging the gap between tourism theory and practice through sustainable initiatives.

Reflecting on the significance of the conference, Van Zyl emphasised the profound potential of tourism as a catalyst for connection, learning and sustainable progress. "Tourism is fundamentally about networking – connecting people, cultures and ecosystems,” she stated. “Our collective challenges, from climate change to global inequities, necessitate shared responsibility and concerted action."

Van Zyl has 37 years of academic experience, including roles in teaching, curriculum development and academic management. She  holds a Doctorate in Commerce (Tourism Management) from Unisa, an MPhil in Tourism Management (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria, and an Honours Degree in Transport Economics from Stellenbosch University. She has been supervising master's and doctoral students for more than two decades, and has secured international funding, including an Erasmus+ grant for fostering staff and student exchanges with European institutions.

Born in Nxuba (previously known as Cradock) in the Eastern Cape, Van Zyl’s journey from a shy girl with childhood dreams to a distinguished academic leader reflects her passion for learning and resilience. She says her upbringing, love for sports and competitive spirit have been pivotal to her success and advises others never to give up in the face of challenges.

Looking ahead, Van Zyl, who also serves as the President of ITSA, remains committed to fostering global partnerships and advancing tourism studies. Her upcoming engagements include participating in the European Union Policies in Action programme in Romania from 3 to 7 March 2025, furthering international academic cooperation and positioning Unisa at the forefront of tourism scholarship and innovation. 

* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences, with input from ChatGPT

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Publish date: 2025/03/24

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