TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
CURRICULUM VITAE SUMMARY:
PERSONAL DETAILS
Full name:
Date of birth:
Age:
Gender:
Nationality:
Health:
Marital status:
Home language:
Present occupation:
Contact details:
Email:
Tamara Sasha Soo
30/01/1987
30
Female
South African
Good
Single
English
Consultant
--
QUALIFICATIONS
Obtained an Honours Degree in Tourism Development (cum laude) , University of Johannesburg
Matriculated from Jeppe High School for Girls, 2005
WORK EXPERIENCE
January 2012 – May 2016:
January 2011 – December 2011:
January 2009 – December 2011:
Consultant at Grant Thornton, Strategy
Development and Planning
Mentor at University of Johannesburg,
Academic Development
Receptionist at University of
Johannesburg, Academic Development
PERSONAL PROFILE
I strive to achieve balance in my life.
In the work place. I:
• Am eager to learn and always willing to take up new challenges
• Inquisitive and willing to question the status quo
• Able to analyse my performance critically and appreciate critical feedback
• Concentrate on key details to ensure quality and accuracy
• Am able to work under pressure
When I am not working I enjoy cycling, carpentry and spending time with friends and family. I am
an aspiring entrepreneur, friendly, considerate, objective thinker and self-motivated.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM VITAE SUMMARY:
PERSONAL DETAILS
Full name:
Date of birth:
Age:
Gender:
Nationality:
Health:
Marital status:
Home language:
Present occupation:
Contact details:
Email:
Address:
Criminal offences:
ACADEMIC DETAILS
Short courses
Course:
Tamara Sasha Soo
30/01/1987
30
Female
South African
Good
Single
English
Consultant
--Kyoto, Japan
None
Institution:
Date completed:
Public Private Partnership Foundation
Training
DBSA
2013
Tertiary
Course:
Institution:
Date completed:
BA Honours Tourism Development
University of Johannesburg
2011
Course:
Institution:
Date completed:
BA degree Tourism Development
University of Johannesburg
2010
Secondary
Last school attended:
Years:
Highest grade passed:
Jeppe High School for Girls
2002 - 2005
Matric Exemption
Please request qualifications if required.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Grant Thornton
Position:
Period:
Responsibilities:
Consultant, Strategy Development
and Planning
March 2014 – May 2016
Market research
Data analysis
Client liaison
Report writing
Project management
Proposal writing
Research questionnaire development
Site assessment
Presentation compilation / facilitation
I was involved in the following publication:
Tourism Business Index - I assist in the development of the official business index for the
South African Tourism Industry. This is analysed quarterly and this study includes market
surveys and statistical analyses.
As a Consultant in the Strategy Development and Planning Unit at Grant Thornton I worked on the
following projects:
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality – I conducted site visits to all tourism facilities
(including township and privately owned facilities) in Ekurhuleni in order to identify the
significance of the product within its location, current condition of each facility and provide
possible interventions / development / upgrades.
Protea Hotel Blantyre – conducted a hotel feasibility study for a proposed hotel in Lilongwe,
Malawi. The project involved conducting a market assessment including a site visit to the
prototype hotel and proposed study area in Lilongwe as well as a financial analysis.
Industrial Development Corporation – conducted a pre-feasibility study for a proposed
lodge and restaurant at Bourke’s Luck Potholes in Mpumalanga. The project included a market
assessment, financial analysis and economic impact assessment.
Ministry of Tourism in Madagascar – The Government of Madagascar invested in the
construction of the 221 room 5-star hotel. To complete the hotel to the standards required by a
reputed international hotel brand, the Government required further investment. I conducted a
market study and proforma for the hotel.
Frances Baard District Municipality Tourism Strategy Review – conducted the following
processes: project inception, market analysis (i.e. situational analysis), review of the tourism
strategy and the development of an implementation plan for the new updated strategy.
Piet Retief Hotel Feasibility Study and Business Plan – conducted a market and financial
feasibility study thereafter a business plan.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Grant Thornton
Position:
Period:
Responsibilities:
Junior Consultant, Strategy Development
and Planning
January 2012 – March 2014
Market research
Data analysis
Client liaison
Report writing
Project management
Proposal writing
Research questionnaire development
Site assessment
During my time as a Junior Consultant in the Strategy Development and Planning Unit at Grant
Thornton I worked on the following projects:
Durban Hilton Salary Survey- Hilton approached Grant Thornton to conduct an
independent survey of salaries currently paid to management employees in upmarket
(typically 4 and 5 star) hotels in Durban. I undertook the data collection, data analysis and
report writing processes.
Ndalo Luxury Ventures Business Concept – conducted an evaluation of the central
concept of luxury brand trends within South Africa and globally.
Pelonngwe Wellness Spa & Boutique Hotel –conducted a market feasibility study for a
Wellness Retreat & Boutique Hotel in Lanseria, Gauteng. I was involved from initiation of
the project including the formulation of the proposal and market research conducted on both
international and local benchmarks/ trends.
Serengeti Ballito – I was involved in the research and report writing of the major trends for
tourism in South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal.
Ingquza Hill - I was involved in the research and report writing of the major trends for
tourism in South Africa and the Eastern Cape.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality – Grant Thornton was appointed to review the
municipality’s governance framework. I was part of the Project Steering Committee as well
as was the Project Administrator. She was involved in the project planning, minutes writing,
updating of the repository of documents and other administration related duties. The project
spanned 7 months.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
VOASA Awards – I evaluated the VOASA Awards nominations for 2012 in preparation of
the first round adjudication.
Wild Dog Estate – In order to conduct a market and financial feasibility for a hotel in the
Underberg, I conducted the market study as well as developed the analysis.
Department of Trade and Industry –I constructed the financial projections for a grant
review.
Industrial Development Corporation – I compiled a profile of tourism and retail-related
attractions in order to develop the demand and supply analysis for a national display garden.
In addition, she conducted the market surveys.
Rustenburg ICC – I was involved in conducting the primary research which included
interviews with a number of stakeholders.
Ekhurleni Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Strategy- I was involved in conducting
the primary research.
Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality – We were appointed to develop a tourism master
plan for Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality. I conducted the primary research which
involved interviewing various accommodation establishments in the area, government
officials, attractions, tour operators and professional conference organisers. Her research also
involved reviewing policies related to the project.
Eastern Cape Tourism State of Play – I developed, distributed, managed and analysed an
online survey sent to all tourism stakeholders in the Eastern Cape Province.
Industrial Development Corporation – As part of the primary research for the Mega
Tourism Hub in Mkhambathi, I conducted stakeholder and tourism establishment interviews
for the study in question.
Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and
Tourism - Grant Thornton was appointed to conduct a study on the state of play in the
Eastern Cape. This involved providing an overview of the tourism / hospitality industry,
identifying the current state of the industry, tourist behaviour patterns and a SWOT analysis.
I developed, distributed, managed and analysed an online survey sent to all tourism
stakeholders in the Eastern Cape Province.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
Gauteng Tourism Authority – As part of the primary research to develop a business plan
for a destination marketing organisation, I conducted various interviews as well as
summarised policies, laws and reports relevant for the study.
Gauteng Tourism Authority – Grant Thornton was appointed to conduct supply and
demand research for the Gauteng province. My tasks included organising meetings, writing
minutes, stakeholder interviews, online survey distribution, data analysis and report writing.
eThekwini Municipality – eThekwini Municipality appointed Grant Thornton to undertake
an analysis of the tourism sector in the municipality in order to inform priority strategic
interventions for the sector. I was involved in a number of aspects of this project including
stakeholder interviews, documentation review and tourism industry analysis.
South African Heritage Resources Agency (“SAHRA”) – SAHRA appointed Grant
Thornton and Appraisal Corporation to provide a valuation and develop a property
management strategy for its property portfolio. I conducted site visits to a number of these
properties in order to evaluate their potential for tourism. This involved trips to the Eastern
Cape, Free State and Northern Cape.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality – Grant Thornton was appointed to conduct a
tourism facilities audit. I conducted site visits to all tourism facilities (including township
and privately owned facilities) in Ekurhuleni in order to identify the significance of the
product within its location, the current condition of each facility and provide possible
interventions / development / upgrades.
General Nice Development Corporation – I assisted in the due diligence for the Park Inn
Hotel in Sandton. Her roles including benchmarking, hotel/ tourism industry trends research,
project management and report writing.
University of Johannesburg
Position:
Period:
Responsibilities:
University of Johannesburg
Position:
Period:
Responsibilities:
Mentor, Academic Development
January 2011 – December 2011
Aid students with coping with
University
Facilitate lectures
Marking homework
Receptionist, Academic Development
January 2009 – December 2011
Data capturing
Handling enquiries
Switchboard
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
SKILLS
Personal skills
Analytical thinker
Can communicate with diverse groups of people
Big picture thinker
Good report writing
Networking skills
Ability to work under pressure
Good at keeping time and sticking to deadlines
Good reading and listening skills
Computer skills
Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook & Projects)
Able to learn and adapt to different programs quickly
Google Earth
ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Travel: My love for travel started following my secondary qualification, in 2006, I took a gap year
in the United States of America. I was employed as a camp counsellor in a special needs camp in
Iowa. My own personal travels have also taken me to countries like France, the Netherlands,
Thailand, Italy and Spain.
Cycling: I am an avid-cyclist. I have completed the 94.7 cycle challenge (94.7 km cycle) twice.
This year will be my third time.
Carpentry: In my spare time I enjoy woodwork. In particular, I enjoy making things from pallet
wood in an attempt to redefine the status quo.
TAMARA SASHA SOO
MBA CANDIDATE AT DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY
REFERENCES
Mr Jabulani Debedu
Consultant Grant Thornton Strategy Development and Planning
(-
Cassandra Soo
Sister
(-
Professor Mearns
Supervisor for my honours research report based on a study that identified, from a communitybased ecotourism venture perspective, the extent to which the infrastructure provision prevents the
growth of tourism in the Wild Coast region in the Eastern Cape.
(-
