From Passion to Success: Nhlanhla Litabe’s Journey with Your Pass to Travel

Introduction

Nhlanhla Litabe is the founder and chief executive officer of Your Pass to Travel, a company that has emerged as a trusted name in travel management since its inception in 2021. Boasting 14 years of experience in the travel industry and having personally explored over 60 countries, Nhlanhla truly embodies her company’s slogan, “Access the World.”

Building a Trusted Brand

“Your Pass to Travel is a management company that assists clients to access the world, whether domestically or internationally,” Nhlanhla explained. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including flights, hotel bookings, guided tours, and cruise packages. She emphasises that anything travel-related falls within their scope.

Reflecting on her early interest in travel, Nhlanhla recalled her time in the banking industry, when she would visit travel agencies in shopping centres simply out of curiosity and fascination with the industry. Her inspiration was rooted in her upbringing, as her family encouraged travel and adventure from an early age. “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,” she shared.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Nhlanhla’s entrepreneurial journey began at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Having gained valuable experience at a travel management company, she faced retrenchment during the lockdown. Rather than seeing this as a setback, she seized the opportunity to pursue 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. Nhlanhla’s passion for travel is evident, as she notes that her clients often ask if she is in the country when they contact her, highlighting her constant movement and dedication to her work.

Innovating in Travel Management

From the beginning, Nhlanhla aimed for Your Pass to Travel to stand apart from traditional travel agencies. Her vision was to create a seamless experience for clients, where all travel needs are managed under one roof. “We want to make it easy – you choose what you want, you pay, and you just pack,” she explained.

A key differentiator is the company’s decision to manage visa and documentation services internally, rather than outsourcing. This hands-on approach has become a hallmark of the brand. “We are the experts, not you,” she said, emphasising the company’s commitment to making travel accessible for everyone, regardless of budget.

Nhlanhla underlines the importance of authenticity in the travel industry. She distinguishes between a travel agent, who works from an office, and a travelling agent, who explores destinations and offers advice based on firsthand experience. To bridge this gap, she ensures her consultants travel regularly, funding their experiences so they can share genuine insights with clients. “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,” she noted.

Facing and Overcoming Challenges

Launching the business came with its share of obstacles. Initially conceived as a home-based and mobile service, Nhlanhla was persuaded to rent office space, which proved financially unsustainable. “We lost a lot of money because it wasn’t profitable for us,” she admitted. Nevertheless, she sees business as a journey of risk, learning, and growth.

Recruiting and retaining the right people for the 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.”

Vision for the Future

One of Nhlanhla’s ambitions is to establish a travel academy for young people passionate about tourism. She envisions training students from high schools and universities to prepare them for careers in the industry, equipping them with practical skills even if they do not stay with the company. Additionally, she aims to promote domestic tourism, highlighting the beauty and potential of South Africa. “We want to showcase our country and show the world how it should be done,” she said.

Nhlanhla has received significant recognition for her work, including being named a top consultant several times in her previous company and 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 listed among the Top 20 Brands at the KZN Top Business Awards 2025. Looking ahead, Nhlanhla aspires for Your Pass to Travel to be among the top five brands in South Africa’s travel industry.

Words of Advice

Managing an international travel business leaves little time for rest. Nhlanhla describes herself as constantly on the move, but she credits her family, including her siblings and live-in helper, for supporting her. She has learned to prioritise family time and to switch off when necessary. “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.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Nhlanhla’s advice is to remain true to oneself. “Don’t compromise your values or sell your soul,” she said. She encourages others to pursue their dreams at their own pace and believe in their validity, even if success seems unlikely. 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.”