‘20’ seems to be our lucky number – last year we celebrated 20 years in the industry, and we’ve set our sights on a bumper year for 2020. As usual, we have hit the ground running, with site inspections to existing and new properties, open days for trade site inspections, and preparing for our next corporate showcase.
At the end of last year, we welcomed Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in Pretoria to the portfolio, and on 28 January we arranged an open day for our travel trade partners to view this upmarket property ideal for business guests, high end conferencing and events, and leisure travellers looking for an alternative urban hotel in Pretoria. We had an excellent turnout and would like to thank Ivory Manor for hosting everyone who came to view this special property. For those who were unable to make it, please contact us to arrange a private site inspection.
On 27 February, Sandton Lodge in Rivonia will also be hosting an open day and we encourage you to confirm your attendance for an opportunity to view the facilities at Rivonia’s hidden gem. Secluded and tranquil, yet close to the Sandton CBD, Sandton Lodge is ideal for both business and leisure travellers, conferences, and special events.
Keep an eye out for notifications about further open days that we will be arranging during the course of the year at various other properties in our portfolio.
We are also excited to once again be holding our corporate showcase this year, which will take place on 19 March at The Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Johannesburg. This is an excellent opportunity for corporate travel executives, travel agents and bookers to meet the owners and senior management of the properties in our portfolio suitable for corporate travel and events, so make sure you save the date and pencil it in your diary. There will be fantastic prizes up for grabs during the course of the morning, including the grand prize of a trip to Kenya including flights.
In between sales calls, we took a trip to Malelane in January to view the latest addition to our portfolio, Mukumbura Malelane. This is a brand-new seven-bedroomed boutique hotel overlooking the Crocodile River and the Kruger National Park and we are delighted to welcome this property as it epitomises everything we look for in a boutique hotel – an owner-run property focusing on attention to detail and guest experiences. Mukumbura Malelane has been exquisitely decorated and the setting on the banks of the Crocodile River provides for the perfect start to a safari into the Kruger National Park. We will also be introducing Mukumbura Bilene in Mozambique to the portfolio in the next few months, which will ideally pair with Mukumbura Malelane and will enable visitors to combine a safari with a Mozambique beach experience. More details to follow soon.
At the beginning of February, we also travelled to magical Kenya to spend some time with the Sarova team and visit all nine of the Sarova properties. Our site visit once again reaffirmed that Sarova lives up to its ethos of ‘Refreshing African Hospitality’. The properties are all looking lovely, with upgrades being done to the Sarova Mara standard tents. We will share further details about this shortly.
In celebration of our 20-year milestone last year, we announced the launch of Southern Spoor Supports, which aims to give back to the hospitality industry by assisting a young woman in developing her career in hospitality through an annual bursary. Our worthy candidate is 19-year-old Dominique Brown who is currently studying Food and Beverage Operations at the University of Johannesburg. Dominique says that being raised by a single mother in a small community in Polokwane has inspired her to go after her dreams of having a career in the hospitality and tourism industry. “I believe that it is an exciting career path which allows one to practice passion daily, and also allows for creative ambition and creates opportunities to experience diverse cultures. I intend to obtain my diploma, advanced diploma and then a Masters in food and beverage operations. I aspire to remain motivated and determined to achieve my goals and to aim for success regardless of what may come my way,” says Dominique. “I am very grateful to have received this opportunity to continue my studies and work towards securing my future. Words cannot describe how overjoyed and excited I am to be able to work with Southern Spoor this upcoming year.”
We are equally excited about helping Dominique to follow her dream and supporting her along her career journey.
The tone of 2020 has been set and we’re looking forward to a busy rest of the year filled with sales and marketing activities on behalf of our properties, and would like to thank the industry for your ongoing support.
Best wishes,
The Southern Spoor team
