Managing Director
Kenny S. Hlela is a seasoned tourism investment strategist and Managing Director of Gemini Destination Advisory & Consulting, a boutique firm specialising in destination development, investment facilitation, and strategic advisory services. With nearly two decades of public sector experience and a distinguished track record in project packaging and investment promotion, Kenny brings a rare blend of policy insight, technical expertise, and market acumen to the tourism and enterprise development landscape.
Prior to founding Gemini, Kenny served as Director of Tourism Investment Coordination at South Africa’s national Department of Tourism, where he led high-impact initiatives to unlock investment across the tourism value chain. His public service career spans key roles in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Department of Public Service & Administration (DPSA), where he contributed to trade policy, governance reform, and regional development.
Kenny’s portfolio includes leadership on flagship programmes such as:
He also assessed tourism’s potential to position South Africa as an Aviation Hub for the Southern Corridor (IBSA Route) and led outward investment promotion missions, including to the United Arab Emirates. His thought leadership has been showcased at premier platforms such as the Africa PPP Conference, WTM Africa’s Tourism Investment Seminar, and Africa’s Travel Indaba.