Tourism is currently the fastest growing industry in South Africa. Overseas tourists find South Africa sunny, interesting and affordable, which makes it a very appealing holiday destination. Guesthouse accommodation, also referred to as bed and breakfast (B & B), is in high demand due to the general availability, as well as the more personal and informal atmosphere compared to hotels.
Guesthouse managers are in most cases, also the owners of their guesthouses, running their own small business. This therefore requires them to fulfil different roles and perform a variety of duties such as:
Administration: Making of bookings, managing of finances, ordering of supplies etc.
Maintenance: Upkeep of the interior and exterior of the guesthouse, the managing of domestic workers and gardeners
Planning of meals: Developing and compiling of menus, estimating food quantities and costs, purchasing of food supplies, preparation of food and supervision of kitchen helpers
Providing of information: on tourist attractions in the vicinity as well as on personal safety precautions.
Guesthouse managers work with tourists of different cultures and traditions, from all over the world and must, therefore, keep their different needs and requirements in mind.