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Our team

Dr. Zoëgné Luyt

Dr. Zoëgné Luyt is a distinguished academic specialising in tourism, event management, and conservation, currently serving as a Lecturer at the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI). She holds a PhD in Tourism Management from North-West University (South Africa), an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-Tourism, a BSc Honours in Natural Science (Biodiversity Conservation), and a BSc in Tourism, Geography, and Zoology.

Overview

Dr. Zoëgné Luyt is a distinguished academic specialising in tourism, event management, and conservation, currently serving as a Lecturer at the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI).

She holds a PhD in Tourism Management from North-West University (South Africa), an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-Tourism, a BSc Honours in Natural Science (Biodiversity Conservation), and a BSc in Tourism, Geography, and Zoology.

With over 14 years of experience across academia and research, Dr. Luyt has taught, developed curricula, moderated assessments, and conducted research at prestigious institutions including North-West University, the University of South Africa (UNISA), CTU Training Solutions, and NewBridge Graduate Institute.

An award-winning researcher, published author, and international presenter, Dr. Luyt is widely recognised for her contributions to sustainability, academic excellence, and global knowledge exchange in tourism and environmental management. Her work often bridges the gap between tourism development and ecological responsibility, focusing on how travel and conservation can coexist harmoniously.

Her research explores diverse themes such as eco-tourism, wildlife and nature-based tourism, cultural heritage, and risk management within tourism contexts. She has presented her findings at numerous international conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to the advancement of sustainable tourism discourse.

Dr. Luyt’s teaching philosophy integrates experiential learning, critical thinking, and a commitment to sustainability. She encourages students to develop practical insights alongside theoretical understanding, preparing them to lead responsibly within the tourism and events industries.

Beyond academia, Dr. Luyt has collaborated on research projects such as the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and BRICS Think Tank, furthering dialogue around sustainable tourism and global collaboration. Her lifelong passion for biodiversity and conservation continues to inspire her teaching, research, and mentorship.

Areas of expertise

  • Eco-Tourism
  • Sustainability
  • Events Management
  • Tourism Management
  • Risk Management
  • Conservation

Awards and Honours

  • Best Paper Award (2022) – International Conference on Tourism and Social Research, Maldives.
  • Project Researcher – NIHSS and BRICS Think Tank (2020–2023).
  • Certificate for Outstanding Academic Merit – Golden Key International Honour Society (2013).
  • Animal Health Award Winner – American Veterinary Medical Association, Intel ISEF Expo, Atlanta, USA (2008).

Research interests

  • Eco-Tourism
  • Conservation and Sustainability
  • Animal and Wildlife Tourism
  • Risk Management
  • Nature-Based Tourism
  • Citizen Science
  • Cultural Heritage

Publications

  • Luyt, Z. & Slabbert, E. (2024). Assessing COVID-19’s impact on travel decision-making in South Africa. In Maurer, C. & Siller, H. J. (Eds.), ISCONTOUR 2024 Tourism Research Perspectives. BoD – Books on Demand, Austria, pp. 258–275.
  • Luyt, Z. & Van der Merwe, P. (2022). The potential of frogging as an ecotourism product for South African National Parks. Koedoe, 64(1), a1725. https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v64i1.1725

Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements

  • BSBI Mental Health Day: How to Manage Daily Challenges, Berlin, Germany (2025).
  • ISCONTOUR Postgraduate Student Conference, Innsbruck, Austria (2024).
  • Garden Route Interface and Network Meeting (GRIN), Western Cape, South Africa (2022).
  • International Conference on Tourism and Social Research, Maldives (2022).
  • Herpetological Association of Africa Conference, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2017).
  • Amphibian Conservation Research Symposium, Potchefstroom, South Africa (2016).
  • Symposium for Contemporary Conservation Practice, Howick, South Africa (2013).