Karin Sieberhagen
After matriculating many moons ago I started my working career with the Drybean Board in Pretoria – yes in those years every vegetable had its own Agricultural board !
After a year I moved on to SAA where I worked in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.
Joined Magnum Airlines in Johannesburg and stayed there for 10 years going through name changes to Link Airways.
From there short stints at a Travel Agent as PR/Marketing and then Air Malawi for a few months.
I joined the hotel business when joining Best Western Hotels selling the newly established hotels in Bedfordview and Nelspruit.
The company was sold to Mercure Hotels adding Mercure Midrand and Randburg to the portfolio.
In my 10 years at Mercure I looked after the Agent and Tour Operator Market.
Sun International Dreams – the in-house Tour Operator of SI – was a short stop for 2 years.
I discovered my love for hotels and Africa when I joined Serena Hotels. A previous boss always said u “have to smell the Hotel” and promoting and selling Serena Hotels especially the Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo gave me that opportunity.
I have been with Serena Hotels for 11 years this year and love every minute of what I am doing.
Married and have 2 grown up children and one adorable grandchild!