Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Nishita Devanand is one techpreneur who has taken the hospitality and tourism sector by storm. She is a creative brand and advertising expert – the founder and chief executive of Savoir Faire Hospitality and NAVI Africa. With her NAVI Apps, travellers and locals seeking awesome experiences in local cities across Africa are covered with the right resources.
Based on Nishita’s travel experiences, she was inspired to develop a mobile application to provide centralized information about dining, entertainment, events and community activities for tourist hubs across Africa using Lagos as its starting point. NAVI has fast become the household app and is transforming the tourism industry in Africa.
Nishita’s professional experiences cut across several sectors, from hospitality and event management to manufacturing and real estate. She has worked with multinational brands including Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Over the years, she has garnered experience and skills in customer service, and talent acquisition and management, among others.
She studied Hospitality Operations and Events Management at the Swiss Hotel Management School, globally acclaimed to be among the top three institutions for studies in hospitality management. She also obtained a certificate in Leadership Principles for International Businesses from the Harvard Business School.
Nishita is a passionate advocate for Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and sustainable cities. She serves as an Ambassador of the Swiss Education Group Nigeria and Reach Out Together, and is a member of GAIA Africa and Women in Hospitality.
The multiple award-winning techpreneur has been recognised by Pyne Awards Africa with the 2022 Rising Star Award, and has been considered among the top 10 trailblazing women in Africa’s hospitality and tourism sectors. NAVI Africa has also received recognition as one of Nigeria’s 35 fastest-growing hospitality startups. Pride Magazine Nigeria, wowed by Nishita Devanand’s work in the hospitality & tourism sector, celebrates her as a worthy Woman Crush Wednesday.