RUNNING HER OWN RACE

Nhlanhla Litabe is the founder and chief executive officer of Your Pass to Travel, a company that has become a trusted name in travel management since its establishment in 2021. Nhlanhla, a travel professional with 15 years in the industry, has had the personal experience of visiting more than 66 countries. She has also joined the rare 5% of travellers who have completed an “Around the World Ticket” experience. Consequently, she embodies the company’s philosophy, “Once in a lifetime, find a new adventure.

Access the world before you can’t see it anymore.” “Your Pass to Travel is a management company that assists clients to access the world, whether domestically or internationally,” she explained. “We deal with flights, hotels, guided tours, and I also specialise in cruising. Anything travel related – that’s what we do.” Nhlanhla reflected on where her passion for travel began. She recalled, “When I was still in the banking industry, I would walk through shopping centres with my family and find myself drawn to travel agencies. I would go in just to do research because something about the industry fascinated me.” She explained that her inspiration did not come from a single person but rather from her upbringing.

“From an early age, my family exposed us to travelling and encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones. That’s where my love for travel and nature truly began,” she said. “I’m a Sagittarian, and we’re known for our adventurous spirit. I think that sense of adventure has always been part of who I am.” Her entrepreneurial journey began at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Having previously worked for a travel management company, she had already gained valuable industry experience.

When retrenchments struck during the lockdown, she seized the opportunity to follow her dream. “I just took the decision to go for it – to chase my dreams. Here I am today, and I’ve never looked back,” she said. “I’m very passionate about travel. I live it and breathe it. The first question my clients ask when they get hold of me is ‘are you in the country?’,” she says with a laugh.

Doing Things Differently

From the outset, Nhlanhla wanted Your Pass to Travel to stand apart from traditional travel agencies. “My dream has always been to incorporate everything travel-related and make it a seamless process for clients,” she said. “We want to make it easy – you choose what you want, you pay, and you just pack.” Unlike many companies that outsource visa and documentation services, her company manages every step internally.

This hands-on approach has become a hallmark of the brand. “We are the experts, not you,” she said with a smile. “And we want to make travel easy and accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.” Nhlanhla believes that authenticity is essential in the travel industry. “There’s a difference between a travel agent and a travelling agent,” she explained. “A travel agent sits in an office. A travelling agent actually goes out there, experiences destinations, and advises clients from real-life knowledge.” To bridge this gap, she ensures that her consultants travel regularly. “We invest a lot in our consultants by funding their travel experiences so they can share genuine insights with clients,” she said. “One of our employees has been to five countries since joining the company three years ago.

That’s how we make sure we live and breathe what we sell.” In terms of succession plans, Nhlanhla boasts how hands on her daughter, Keratilwe Thandolwethu Litabe, has become in the business as she has been to over 23 countries and counting. “I am shaping her for the future and she’s looking forward to studying for a degree in Business Administration so she can run this family business and grow it to greater heights.”

Overcoming Challenges

Starting the business was not without obstacles. Initially designed as a home-based and mobile service, Nhlanhla was persuaded to rent office space, which proved costly. “We lost a lot of money because it wasn’t profitable for us,” she admitted. “But in business, you take risks, you learn, and you grow.” Finding the right people for her agency has also been challenging. “You can’t clone yourself,” she said.

“You can only train and mould people and hope they stay. But with the right tools and strategies we’re getting there, slowly we keep on growing.” One of Nhlanhla’s ambitions is to establish a travel academy for young people passionate about tourism. “We want to train students, especially from high schools and universities and prepare them for the real world,” she said. “Even if they don’t stay with us, as we have limited space for new employees, they’ll be equipped to walk into any job.” She also wants to increase focus on domestic tourism. “There’s so much beauty in South Africa and so much potential. We want to showcase our country and show the world how it should be done,” she said.

Nhlanhla’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was a top consultant several times in her previous company and was recognised as a top seller in southern Africa by an international tour company. Under her leadership, Your Pass to Travel was the first runner-up at the 2024 Durban Tourism Awards in the Emerging Entrepreneur category and was named as a finalist as well as listed among the Top 20 Brands at the KZN Top Business Awards 2025. In the future, Nhlanhla aims to be among the top five brands in the travel business in South Africa

Words Of Advice

Running an international travel business leaves little room for rest. “I am a very busy lady. If you catch me, grab me with both hands because I’m always out of the country,” she laughed. “It’s hard to find balance, but my family has been a pillar of strength.”

She credits her siblings and her live-in helper for helping her manage family life. “Recently, I’ve tried to switch off when something isn’t urgent,” she shared. “I’ve learned to prioritise family time. And I’m happy to say I’ve found a partner – life feels normal.” Nhlanhla encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to stay true to themselves.

“Don’t compromise your values or sell your soul,” she advised. “Run your race at your own pace and believe your dreams are valid, even if there’s just a one per cent chance of success.” She concluded with a Zulu saying close to her heart: “Hamba ngamandla akho Gideon, ungaboleki izinto zabantu,” which she translated as, “Run with the power vested in you. Don’t borrow from others, because nothing comes for free."

E: info@yourpasstotravel.co.za

W: www.yourpasstotravel.co.za

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