PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Patty Butterworth, considered the face of Plettenberg Bay and tourism in the town, is leaving.
Her departure as CEO was announced at the Plett Tourism Association's annual general meeting on Wednesday 3 September.
Earlier Butterworth said she will be working for Plett Tourism remotely until the end of December while working with and mentoring a consultant. The new CEO will officially start on 1 January 2026.
Must-visit destination
Butterworth's efforts on the tourism front have made Plett a must-visit destination, not only for South African visitors but international visitors as well.
Butterworth has held several portfolios under the Plett Tourism Association. She was appointed as CEO in October 2020, and her previous portfolio was focused on travel and trade, media management and business development.
She received her bachelor of arts degree in journalism and media relations from George Mason University in the United States.
Butterworth has worked in publishing, marketing, public relations and brand management over the course of 33 years. Her experience is across the board, having worked for industry leaders in the US such as Alston & Bird, CNN, DuPont, Southern Living and The Washington Post.
Better life
She moved to South Africa with her husband in 1996 and relocated to Plett from East London in August 2002.
"We wanted a better life for our children, and being an outdoor family, this was the perfect location. I have owned a baby shop, a delicatessen, and I also helped open the Market Square when it was owned by RMB," said Butterworth.
She joined the Plett Tourism team in 2012 and helped formalise the current board structure of the Plett Tourism Association.
Butterworth said: "I made the decision to take a six-month sabbatical to be closer to my family in the US. I am not permanently relocating."
New chapter
She said she is starting a new chapter and will see where it leads. "My husband passed away in March 2023, and two of my three children are currently working and living in the US, as well as my immediate family.
"I have experienced many personal and work challenges over the past two-and-a-half years, I have grown as a person and believe it is now time to hand over the tourism subscribers wand." She said she was not sure what she will be doing next.
"However, I will be exploring opportunities internationally, and will be taking many courses while in the US. I'm looking forward to exploring this new chapter."
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