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Mark Jankins, Group Chief Commercial Officer at Peermont, speaks with Erica Wark about the pleasure of spending your leisure time at Peermont’s Hotel and Casino network
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eermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts is South Africa’s most empowered hospitality and gaming company. Boasting an excellent track record in the design, development, management, ownership and operation of multi-faceted integrated resorts; this includes hotels, casinos, convention centres, retail outlets, restaurants, bars and other sport and entertainment facilities. What’s more, with 14 properties throughout southern Africa we’re confident that there is a choice destination for every taste and style. Peermont believes that the purpose of a business is not only to produce wealth, but to do so as a social organisation with an obligation to meet and respond to the needs of the community. The company believes that it is inextricably linked to the economic and
Peermont FEATURE
Peermont Legacy: Peermont was established in November 1993 by its then Chief Executive Officer, Ernie Joubert, with the financial backing of RMB Holdings, the parent company of Rand Merchant Bank. The Company is led by a dynamic management team with extensive experience in the development and management of hotel casino resorts, who have bred the following philosophy into the company: MISSION: To deliver sustainable wealth for their shareholders, their people and their communities. VISION: To develop, own, manage and operate an enviable portfolio of leading, world class gaming, lodging, convention and leisure businesses offering their guests a range of vibrant, exciting, convenient and entertaining product offerings. VALUES: They believe in success through integrity, innovation, commitment, customer focus, ambition and a positive outlook. By listening to the views of others, embracing cultural diversity, and respecting the need for empowerment in all facets of the business. CUSTOMER PROMISE: Is that Peermont will excite you!
social fabric of society and that its health as an organisation affects the wellbeing of individuals in surrounding communities. In response to this philosophy, The Group makes a point of using local contractors wherever possible which has created permanent employment opportunities as well as contract work during construction phases of new properties. They currently employ a compliment of around 3000 staff full time. As Peermont as a group grows so too do employment opportunities. Peermont continually invest in the development of existing staff that ultimately creates new positions. If you want to know more about what to expect from a visit to Peermont Hotels Casinos Resorts, then there are opportunities to see them showcased at a range of travel shows including Indaba, and World Travel Mart around the globe. Peermont aim to offer a one-stop destination that includes accommodation and entertainment all under one roof in a safe and secure environment. To find out more about how you can enjoy ‘relaxing stays and exciting times’ let’s take a closer look at their flagship property, Emperors Palace: Let’s face it; most of us have had to ‘fritter away’ far too many hours waiting in airports. Unless you’re lucky enough to snag a nonstop flight in first-class, you’re probably going to have a layover or two in your air-travel itinerary. While some layovers leave you just enough time to scramble to your next departure gate, others fill you with dread wishing for an escape. Yet if you plan ahead of time, you can make the most of the travel time you spend at airports before, after and in-between flights... Emperors Palace is the perfect example of how Peermont properties can fulfil this for you. If you are travelling to or from O.R. Tambo International airport, Africa’s gateway, I would recommend that you add some time
Peermont FEATURE
to your trip to enjoy Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention and Entertainment Resort. Conveniently located next to the airport, this glamorous neighbour offers more than just a city hotel experience, guests from around the globe can enjoy the splendour of 3, 4 and 5-star accommodation options, vibrant casino action, dining to suit every palate, exhilarating entertainment and excellent business and meeting facilities. Its cornucopia of restaurants, theatres, sporting events, entertainment, leisure, gaming and business venues will satisfy every travel personality from the corporate high-flyer
Let me tempt you with a few options that you have if you venture over to Emperors Palace:
various combinations of comfortable seating while others have plush seating and private bar facilities.
Refuel your tank while your plane does... Maybe you’re only on a short stop? Well it’s easy to pop over to Emperors Palace for a more civilised bite to eat. There are a variety of new restaurants with a world of new taste sensations, such as: Platia (Greek), Braza (Portuguese), Taste of Mumbai (Indian), Col’cacchio (Gourmet Italian) as well as Tribes, Ocean Basket, Gold Rush Spur and a host of fast-food outlets.
Fly high with a spa treatment…Octavia’s Sensorium Day Spa offers an array of professional and specialised treatments that promises to revitalise, rejuvenate and renew your energy, beauty and health.
Watch a movie…the spectacular Nu Metro digital cinema complex has 6 theatres, including 2 ultra-modern digital screens and 2 3D cinemas. The family movie theatre offers
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to those on a wanderlust trail. Just minutes away from the airport, hop onto the hassle-free complimentary shuttle service and kill some time at a place that facilitates both pleasure and productivity. Emperors Palace is the perfect destination offering a host of facilities, all under one roof, if you have friends, family or colleagues meeting you from your flight then rest assured there is the added benefit of safe and secure under cover parking. Peermont are highly committed to their customers comfort –this can be seen in services such as a soon to be launched free shuttle service to and from the Gautrain Rhodesfield station also.
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Place your bets…the opulent glass domed casino offers tables and slots games as well as the exclusive Fortuna Poker room. Emperors Palace deals a winning combination of service, game types and facilities. Book a room…just for the day or spend the night. At Emperors Palace guests have a choice of 3, 4 and 5-star accommodation ranging from the elegant 5-star Peermont D’oreale
Grande to the chic and affordable 3-star Peermont Metcourt hotel. Take in a show…Emperors Palace hosts local and international comedians, singers and dance acts as well a range of sporting events from boxing to tennis or darts. Close that deal… get real value out of those urgent last minute meetings with a myriad of business facilities and venues offering everything a business executive needs to close a deal. Fun for all the family... Emperors Palace is the ultimate family destination. You will find fantastic, specially dedicated kiddies’ areas with professional minders at the Family Fun Park where children can have as much fun as they want in complete safety.
Alternately, of course, if you prefer to stay within the confines of the airport, you could always grab a newspaper at the airport cafÊ and people watch until you nod off.... hmm, choices, choices. All this... AND with absolute ease of access; Emperors Palace offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from O.R. Tambo International airport to its resort every 20 minutes departing from the hotel bus shuttle terminal. I, for one, will be taking advantage of one of the shuttles next time I’m travelling through! To find out more please visit: www.peermontgroup.co.za or directly to the following destinations: www.peermont.com www.emperorspalace.com www.frontierinn.co.za www.graceland.co.za www.khoroni.co.za www.mondazur.com www.riocasino.co.za www.grandpalm.co.za www.mmabathopalms.co.za www.southafricamag.com
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Upping their game
Erica Wark speaks with Peermont Group PR Manager, Julie Van Wyk, to find out about the re-development of the luxurious Umfolozi resort
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make-over to the tune of R115million is currently taking place for the former ‘Tusk Umfolozi’ Hotel Resort in the uMhlathuze Region in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. The expansive resort has been rebranded and renamed Umfolozi Hotel Casino Convention Resort. With the redevelopment progressing exceptionally well, the resort has seriously upped its game and are proud to announce that a soft launch has been scheduled for the end of summer, with completion by December 2010.
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What can guests and visitors expect from this incredible investment in the make-over? The new Umfolozi Resort is a modern celebration of Zulu culture and offers the residents and visitors to the uMhlathuze Region a new and unique variety of entertainment, hospitality and conferencing facilities. “The resort retains its African identity and culture with a new, contemporary design theme incorporated into all aspects of the resort from logo to room design.” says Van Wyk. The redevelopment of the resort includes a great deal of exciting new venues and facilities – including a hotel, convention centre, restaurants and an outdoor domed events venue and corporate or family action park for teambuilding and parties . Recently opened are the newly refurbished Salon Privé with 30 slot machines and 3 gaming tables (Roulette,
Peermont FEATURE
Texas Hold ’em Poker and Blackjack) and the Umfolozi Casino smoking section. Guests have direct access to the new Salon Privé which is adjacent to the gaming floor, with exclusive parking for Privé guests. The main casino has a total of 267 slot machines and 12 tables in play with upgraded cashier booths and casino interiors. A new Peermont Metcourt hotel with 44 rooms and suites is set to open at the end of 2010, with its own F.L.A.G. Café breakfast restaurant, a well known offering found in the popular Peermont Metcourt hotels in South Africa and Botswana. The hotel will become a convenient stopover and meetings destination for guests doing business in this region. The Umfolozi Resort is situated approximately 160 kilometers north of Durban, situated in the hilly countryside of the uMhlathuze Region. The new state-of-the-art conference centre with facilities for 200 people and a multipurpose events arena will be able to accommodate up to 600 delegates, with two breakaway rooms available. There is also the exciting new addition of an Action Park, a
unique corporate event facility which includes a climbing wall plus two air-filled corporate action features called face-off and mini-swing, perfect for corporate functions and action packed team-building sessions – a welcome alternative to KwaZulu–Natal’s existing attractions. Van Wyk added that “The addition of a new Peermont Metcourt hotel, conference centre and multipurpose entertainment and events arena to our upgraded casino complex will provide guests with progressive and inexpensive accommodation, as well as muchneeded meeting and entertainment facilities in the Richards Bay and Empangeni areas of northern KwaZulu–Natal.” So, with hotels, casinos, convention centre, restaurants, sports bars and play areas on offer, I think it’s safe to say that whether your needs are business or pleasure, family or friends, the make-over of the Umfolozi, to the new “Umfolozi Hotel Casino Convention Resort” means that you’ll be well catered for. Please visit the Umfolozi website at www.umfolozicasino.co.za END
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Peermont Place 152 Bryanston Drive Bryanston, Johannesburg South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 557 0557 Fax: +27 (0)11 557 0755
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