Leading the way

LEADING THE WAY

Premier Hotels & Resorts cements its place as a leader in business tourism and MICE with its huge investment in ongoing property upgrades. ccording to statistics released earlier this year, South Africa sees approximately 800 000 people visit for business annually. From meetings and conferences to industry events, visitors from across the globe flock to the country. And, it’s no surprise really. Offering value for money, an incredible array of venues, cosmopolitan cities, unequalled natural surrounds and game reserves, as well as a mild climate year round, it really is a compelling destination for MICE vistors.

Earlier in 2019, the SA Tourism ministry confirmed that the country is definitely seeing a rise in businessrelated travel, and that “the impact of having exhibition centres, exhibition facilities or conference facilities is an important one to our economy.”

This is something that Premier Hotels & Resorts group knows all too well. As one of South Africa’s fastest growing hospitality brands and the leading, independent hotel group, Premier has invested over R300-million in improving hotel standards and facilities across its portfolio over the past 18 months – upgrades to its various conferencing and business facilities being key.

“To be a leader in the hospitality industry requires continually investing to improve your product and the experience customers have when interacting with your brand,” comments Premier Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director, Samuel Nassimov.

“This includes having a national footprint to present options for large international operators, corporates and government business. Our investment is also a testament to our confidence in the potential of our great country and faith that domestic and international business and tourism confidence will benefit our group and the economy in the years to come.”

Premier has continued to confirm its position as a leader in the conferencing and business tourism sector through its incomparable offering and venues.

Its East London properties, incorporating the iconic East London ICC, Premier Hotel Regent, Premier Hotel East London ICC and Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, offer outstanding conference facilities and is the premier destination in the Eastern Cape.

“When planning a conference you are confronted by many decisions. Choosing a venue, however, is the one decision that will have the largest impact on its success. Critical planning information, such as the location and setting of the conference, is essential, as is offering value-for-money,” explains Nassimov.

Eastern Cape

Being equidistant from South Africa’s leading cities – Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg – makes East London one of the most convenient conference venues in the country. With a bustling events and conferences calendar annually, the laidback city charms delegates with its modern infrastructure, yet peaceful atmosphere.

Premier Hotel Regent and Premier Hotel East London ICC both reside within the Marine Park Complex on the East London Esplanade, which also houses the iconic East London International Convention Centre (ELICC), making it the most convenient accommodation choice for those attending conferences and other events. The 260-room Premier Hotel EL ICC, as well as the adjacent 175-room Premier Hotel Regent, are the first choice beachfront hotels, for businesspeople and leisure guests alike.

“Premier has confirmed its position as a leader in the conferencing and business tourism sector through its incomparable offering and venues”

Premier Hotel Regent and Premier Hotel East London ICC.

The award-winning ELICC features a 580-seater auditorium, exhibition hall, six multi-functional conference rooms, executive boardrooms, restaurants and bars. The various conference rooms are designed for conferencing, conventions and trade shows, and are able to accommodate up to 1 500 delegates, whereas the exhibition hall can accommodate up to 2 100 delegates. As the official accommodation partners of the ELICC, the two adjoining Premier hotels are the obvious hospitality choice. For those looking to do business in more relaxed surrounds, Premier Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve will not disappoint. Having undergone a multi-million refurbishment, which includes renovations to the restaurant, additional rooms and two more luxury lodges, the wildlife reserve is excited to again welcome new and returning visitors. Located only 35km from East London’s city centre, this malaria-free reserve allows big game experiences, and offers business delegates the chance to enjoy the South African landscape while attending to or hosting work events in the beautiful surrounds. With two conference venues on the property and personalised and professional service, it’s an idyllic location for a conference, product launch or corporate meeting.

Premier Resort Sani Pass.

KwaZulu-Natal

Located in the Southern Drakensberg after an easy drive, with spectacular views in a special setting, the popular Premier Resort Sani Pass underwent a 14-month, R150-million upgrade and remodelling programme recently, which includes its new conference facilities, rooms,multipurpose centre, swimming pools and more. It is capable of hosting up to 400 people and incorporates sub-divisible conference rooms and boardroom. The next phase will see the further upgrade of its fun nine-hole golf course, with the scenic Sani Pass mountain range as its backdrop.

Western Cape

Business and leisure combine perfectly at Premier Resort The Moorings in Knysna, one of SA’s favourite beach towns, and the resort has been completely modernised. The resort added 45 new bedrooms, and a rim-flow swimming pool with small private beach and stunning views of Thesen Island and the Knysna Heads. There is a new Italian bistro, while conferencing facilities were also expanded. A new, spectacular multipurpose entertainment facility features a boardroom, sunset lounge or ballroom for weddings, chapel, and a private whiskey cellar for tastings and functions – with a spa opening soon. All this makes the resort ideal for discerning international travellers, local conference attendees and leisure seekers.

Rest of South Africa

Further to this, Premier offers many more convenient meetings and conferencing options in Cape Town, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (including Richards Bay, and a new Umhlanga property with two hotels and a new conference centre opening in March 2020, while the renowned Cutty Sark Resort in Scottburgh is undergoing a spectacular refurb and is scheduled for re-opening in May 2020).

Gauteng

Gauteng has a host of options too. The convenient Premier OR Tambo Hotel, located at South Africa’s busiest airport, is perfect for delegates flying into the City of Gold. With various combinations of rooms on offer, it provides ideal function and meeting facilities, with the largest option catering for up to 634 guests at a time.

Similarly, Premier Hotel Midrand, situated in one of Gauteng’s foremost business districts and easily accessible from Johannesburg and Pretoria, can host over 400 guests at a time when utilising its new conference venues.

Premier Hotel Pretoria combines solace, convenience and friendly service in the bustling capital city. Here organisers can choose from six conference venues, which can each be personally configured to suit various needs.

Besides its stellar offering in the Eastern Cape, Premier Resort Sani Pass and Premier Resort The Moorings are two other key conference destinations within Premier’s extensive portfolio.

Faircity Hotel Group acquisition

Adding to its already extensive portfolio, Premier recently purchased the Faircity Hotel Group, which includes conference hotels and serviced apartments in Johannesburg and Pretoria, including Falstaff and Quatermain in

Morningside, Mapungubwe in the Johannesburg CBD, Roodevalley near Pretoria, and Grosvenor Gardens in Hatfield, Pretoria.

Nassimov sees the acquisition as complimentary for Premier, saying: “We are seeking to expand our hotel property portfolio and to proudly offer the Premier brand in most major cities across South Africa. The deal has resulted in us acquiring all Faircity hotels, management contracts and personnel – who will be amalgamated into the Premier Group, with Faircity brands and trademarks remaining intact for ease of customer recognition and business continuity for the foreseeable future”. Nassimov has already earmarked a refurbishment programme for selected Faircity hotels; this includes a R15-million upgrade to the Roodevalley Conference Hotel. The addition of the Gauteng Faircity portfolio to Premier’s already extensive offering ensures constant and varied choices for business travellers and conference organisers alike.

No matter which venue you select, you can rest assured that each will deliver the Premier Group’s signature top-class facilities, modern amenities, generous dining options and the friendly and professional service it has become known for – and where You’re Welcome!