| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 25 |
| Copyright: Other |
Cities to benefit from opening of new hotels
Colin Gardiner reports from the Indaba trade show in Durban
SOUTH Africa is anticipating a significant increase in tourist beds as leading hotel groups open a series of new properties in its top cities.Many of the new developments are located in Johannesburg.
Hotel giant Southern Sun is presently developing the Tuscany-themed Palazzo Inter-Continental in the Montecasino leisure and entertainment complex
And the Las Vegas-based company Caesars is building the Emperor hotel, casino and convention resort at the international airport. This 196-room project will include a health spa.
The Sandton Convention Centre, which opens in Johannesburg in September, is being positioned as the premier exhibition conference venue on the African continent.
The newly opened Sheraton in Pretoria is situated opposite the Union Buildings where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president. Sheraton manager Theo Cromhout said: “The hotel is our first five-star property in Pretoria and we like to think of it as South Africa’s answer to the White House.”
South African Tourism estimates that there are currently 200,000 hotel beds available in the country. However, it declined to forecast how quickly bedstock would rise over the next few years. “Should South Africa win the football World Cup, this will greatly impact on any predicted figures,” said a Satour spokeswoman.
Attractions: South Africa’s wildlife pulls in visitors