TEMPEST: Managing Director: Leslie Matthews

Describe your company, your history and what you offer in a couple of sentences.
We are totally committed to bring you ridiculously low car rental rates. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, with us, you are guaranteed some of the best deals on rental wheels. Time flies when you’re having fun and we’ve been having fun since 1986. Back in the days of bad hairstyles, pastel clothing and the birth of rave music, Tempest Car Hire opened our doors for business to take on the car rental big guns. We saw a gap and went for it: The market needed a car rental provider who was super economical and offered personalised service with a smile. And our clients have been smiling ever since, after all, who can resist great rates, new cars and world class service?

How large is your fleet and what makes of vehicles do you offer?
Our fleet spans over 3 000 vehicles and include the Kia, VW Chico and various Toyota models.
We offer vehicles for every budget, but our main aim is to make car rental affordable to everyone.

How many branches country-wide?
We have 38 branches country-wide, all of whom are totally committed to making your car rental experience easy, accessible and one to remember. We have kiosks at all major airports and branches in many convenient downtown locations, with some of our newest branches having opened in Soweto, Mafikeng, Seapoint and Randfontein.

Specials on offer?

• Rent-a-TomTom GPS.
• Our weekend rates include: 200kms free per day, standard cover theft & collision waivers, VAT, airport surcharges and tourism levy.
• As one of South Africa’s leading car rental companies, Tempest Car Hire also offers affordable long-term car rental solutions. For those who require a car for 30 days or more, Maxirent is the perfect alternative to having to buy a car. Essentially, Maxirent is an alternative to leasing, designed to meet the need for medium to long-term car rentals in South Africa.
• Low weekend rates.

Rates – inclusive

• Mileage
• Super or standard theft and collision waivers
• Airport surcharges
• Tourism levy
• Personal accident insurance
• VAT

Rates – exclusive

• Delivery & collection
• One way fees
• After hours surcharges
• Additional equipment & services
• Cross border fees
• Fuel
• Contract fee

Social responsibility?
We are proud to announce our partnership with Dreamfields, a partnership which is about making a difference in the everyday lives of young South Africans. The Dreamfields initiative is about investing in communities and giving learners the opportunity to succeed and become great sports achievers. Read more about our involvement with Dreamfields here.

BUDGET: Managing Director: Ray Booth

Describe your company, your history and what you offer in a couple of sentences.
Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. was founded in 1958 as a car rental company for the “budget-minded” renter. Today, as an industry leader, Budget continues to appeal to value-minded renters by offering quality vehicles and a rewarding rental experience at nearly 1,900 rental locations worldwide.

How large is your fleet and what makes of vehicles do you offer?
The Budget Southern African fleet is made up of over 8 500 cars, offering economy, luxury and speciality vehicles, all with an average age of 6 to 9 months. We offer VW Chicos, several Toyotas, Ford Focus, BMW 320, Audi A4, Mercedes C Class, Renault, Nissan, 2X4 and 4X4 vehicles.

How many branches country-wide?
A large network of over 77 branches strategically located throughout South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. In-terminal branches at all major airports ensure that no matter how our customers choose to reach their destination, Budget Rent a Car is never far away.

Specials on offer?

• Frequent Renter Programme
• Wings ‘n Wheels Weekend Special – South Africa
• IPL Cricket Special
• Namibia Special
• Tourism Radio Special
• Mobile Phone & GPS Rentals in South Africa
• GPS Rental in Namibia
• Wings ‘n Wheels Weekend Special – Botswana
• Budget has also modified a Toyota Quantum in order to transfer two people using wheelchairs and their companions, accommodating up to five passengers in total.

Rates – inclusive

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW);
• Theft Loss Waiver (TLW)
• Airport Surcharge;
• Tourism Levy;
• 200km free per day
• 200 SAA Voyager Miles; and
• VAT

Rates – exclusive

• Fuel
• Contract Fee
• Excess Liability in the event of theft or damage
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Additional Driver Fee
• Young Driver Surcharge (Conditions apply)
• Baby seat;
• Claim Handling Fee
• Traffic Fine Handling Fee
• Delivery/Collection Fees
• Towing Charges
• One Way Fees

Social responsibility?
Our biggest responsibility as a global company is to maintain a standard of service our customers can depend on no matter where they are in the world.

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.

Being Proudly South African, the voting results are probably guaranteed to reflect Indaba as the African travel and tourism industry’s preferred event. However, it is extremely interesting to see how an event like World Travel Market, held in London in November, measures up to Indaba, bearing in mind that the European financial resources are probably far more superior than Africa’s.

But, after you’ve read the comparison, which by the way, was gathered from both events’ web sites this time round and not from direct interaction with the CEO’s, be honest in your evaluation when you vote. Vote with your head, not with your heart in our poll at the end of the article. If there are ways in which Indaba can improve to claim the title of “the world’s premium travel event”, it might help organisers realise this dream sooner than later. However, the choice is yours, so let’s see how the two events measure up …

Indaba 2009 – 9th May – 12th May 2009

About Indaba
Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing event on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar.

It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. Indaba is owned by South African Tourism, organised by Kagiso Exhibitions and Events and takes place from May 9 to 12 at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

Highlight of the event
The Global Media Face Off will be SA Tourism’s flagship media event at Indaba. It is a media conference attended by local and foreign journalists giving South African Tourism an opportunity to tell the world’s media about the health of the industry and to unpack the challenges and opportunities the industry and the country face. The Face Off gives journalists an opportunity to direct questions to national and tourism principals and experts. The upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup will also feature prominently.

Exhibitor Profile
Indaba brings together a showcase of Southern African tourism products and services for the international travel trade. Exhibitors in the DEC (Durban Exhibition Centre) include provincial authorities and provincial products. In the ICC (International Convention Centre), exhibitor categories include accommodation, tour operators, game lodges, transport, online travel, media publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors include transport, camping and safari companies.

Statistical Details for 2008
Attendance has not only been impressive, but has exceeded all expectations with a record-breaking 12,429 participants having visited Indaba in 2008 – the most in the history of the trade show. Furthermore, Indaba 2008 has welcomed more first-time local and international visitors than ever before, cementing its position as a ‘must-visit’ event on local, regional and international travel trade calendars. The total number of visitors attending the exhibition grew by 7.5%, from 4,161 to 4,437.

The official statistics are:

• Overall Attendance 12,429
• Exhibiting Companies 1,725
• Exhibiting Personnel 7,992
• Visitors 4,437
• Countries represented 70
• Media representatives 559

Environmental vision
Encouraging our partners, business associates, exhibitors, delegates and visitors to support our efforts and share this vision:

• Selecting products and services that reflect and support our environmental vision.
• Raising awareness of the environmental, social and economic impacts of Indaba 2009 and of our efforts to address these responsibility.
• Ensuring the highest possible recovery levels of recycled waste during the event.
• Decreasing the amount of landfill waste generated by and as a result of our activities.
• Reducing and managing energy and water consumption during Indaba.
• Minimising and where possible, off-setting harmful emissions resulting from transportation and energy consumption associated with this event.
• Eliminating the use of harmful chemicals used at or during the event.
• Establishing an environmental legacy to commemorate our achievements in this regard.

World Travel Market 2009 – 9th – 12th November 2009

About World Travel Market
Staged annually at ExCel in London, World Travel Market is a vibrant must attend four day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It is a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof. By attending World Travel Market, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry.

Highlight of the event
In 2009 WTM will continue to attract some of the world’s leading economic, industry and highly specialist experts to assist and advise delegates. Over the four days a wide range of topics will be covered including, technology and online travel, airlines, future trends, PR and marketing, together with a Travel Agents’ focus comprising of educational and integrated programme of skills, training product knowledge, fun entertainment and fabulous prize give-aways.

Exhibition Profile
In 2008, exhibitors on the floor represented 187 countries and regions within UK & Ireland, Europe, Americas, Global Village, Asia/Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Exhibitor profiles range from National Tourist Boards and Destinations to Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Technology and Online Travel Companies and Trade Associations. Overall there were nearly 100 new exhibitors. A highlight was the increasing success of Technology and Online Travel which saw a growth of 9% in new exhibitors.

Statistical Details for 2008

• An increase of 4% to 49,963 participants through its doors.
• An increase of 11% to 26,446 of Trade visitor attendance, industry buyers and decision makers.
• A 4% increase in the number of exhibiting companies at 5,615.

Environmental vision
Over the past years, World Travel Market has dedicated one day to responsible tourism through a programme encouraging debate, discussion and action, highlighting case studies and best practice and participation by all sectors of the industry.
The purpose of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day is to …

• help drive change by educating more responsible behaviour with the travel and tourism industry and travelling public
• explore the issues of how countries and destinations are made more sustainable including case studies of best practices
• educate the marketplace and debate key environmental related issues to push the agenda and be a catalyst for change
• harness the influence of World Travel Market as an international business forum to encourage the industry to drive the responsible tourism agenda forward.

About Author
Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course. Email her on: benghiat@sagateway.com

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.

From May 9th to 12th, the East Coast’s ICC Durban will play host to Indaba 2009, one of the largest tourism marketing events on the global calendar. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the West Coast’s CTICC is gearing up for an equally important event – the MediFest Trade Fair 2009, the leading trade fair dedicated to medical and healthcare sector, which runs from May 6th to 8th. Don’t forget to cast your vote for the Centre who, in your mind, edges slightly ahead of the other.

Durban International Convention Centre: CEO: Miller Matola

Concise history
The ICC was developed during the mid-1990’s by the eThekwini Municipality at a cost of R280 million to act as a catalyst for the economic development of Durban, at a time when confidence in the city was at an all time low.

What does the Durban ICC offer?

• Three convention halls with a total floor area of 7000m2.
• The ICC can seat 5 000 delegates in total.
• The conference venue is flexible and walls and be placed or moved away as needed. For exhibitions and functions, the ICC is joined with its sister venue, the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) to cater for 10 000+ delegates.
• There are 4 halls in the ICC, with air-conditioning and access to state-of-the-art equipment.
• The foyer is an aesthetic feature with natural light steaming through the glass entrance and the entire decor emits a natural feel.
• Facilities include state-of-the-art equipment, high-tech sound and lighting equipment, media booths, a VIP-booth, dressing rooms, food and bar options and more.
• Parking is provided.
• Facilities for disabled patrons.

What are some of the biggest events the ICC Durban has hosted so far?
The International AIDS Conference in 2000, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1999, and the Non-Aligned Movement in 2004.

How much income does the Durban ICC generate?
Since its opening in August 1997 it has contributed as much R6 billion to the local economy. In the 2007/08 financial year the contribution amounted to R700 million. An ICC conference delegate survey done in October 2008 by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, shows that on average delegates spend R6 400 per conference and that 47% of those polled said that they were ”extremely likely” to return to the city on holiday with in five year period.

What makes the ICC special?
It has often been voted Africa’s Leading Conference Centre and is considered to be amongst the top 10 worldwide, with an Arena which has been especially designed for concerts, sports such as wrestling, ice skating shows and exhibitions.

Cape Town International Convention Centre: CEO: Rashid Toefy

Concise history
Officially launched on 28th June 2003, and built at a cost of about R582-million, the centre is owned by the Cape Town International Convention Centre Company (Convenco), which was established by the Western Cape provincial government in 1999.

What does the CTICC offer?

• A purpose-built, flexible facility with 10 000m² of dedicated exhibition space, two raked fixed-seating auditoria for 1 500 and 600 delegates, a 2 000m² grand ballroom with magnificent city views, and over 33 break-out rooms.
• The centre has been designed to bring all its facilities, including a hotel, under one giant roof.
• The technology is state-of-the-art, and the venues are flexible – the ground floor exhibition space can easily be broken up into smaller venues for banquets and conferencing, and 20 of the breakout rooms can be configured to different sizes
• The kitchen facilities are the largest and most advanced in the Western Cape and all venues accessible without disturbing the flow of traffic.
• The list of services covers audio-visual conferencing, registrations, security, messengers, first aid, and business, hotel and cleaning services.
• Facilities for disabled persons.

What are some of the biggest events the CTICC has hosted so far?
Investing in Africa Mining Indaba 2009, the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) 2004 Annual Conference, and the World Economic Forum 2005.

How much income does the CTICC generate?
The CTICC’s contribution to South Africa’s GDP is expected to rise to R3.38bn in the next financial year. The next five years are expected to increase its cumulative total to more than R30bn since the CTICC’s inception in 2003. On average R2,400 is spent per delegate, per day, on registration, accommodation, local travel and transportation, gastronomy and souvenirs when in Cape Town. The total spend of 5 000 delegates attending an average 5-day congress is R60 million. Four new international congresses which have been won will bring nearly 5 000 delegates and as much as R.6bn in spending power to benefit Cape Town’s coffers over the next few years.

What makes the CTICC special?

• A concerted effort by the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) to reduce its carbon footprint through streamlining its operations has paid off. During December 2008, a saving of R130 000 was made on electricity through switching off unnecessary plant and equipment – a result of the CTICC’s commitment to creating an environmentally sustainable convention centre.
• Last year, the design of the CTICC was recognised as the Best Architectural Design in the Mother City, in the Best of Cape Town Awards.
• The CTICC was recognised for its exceptional use of steel in structural and architectural design when it was capped as the overall winner of Steel Awards 2004.
  About Author
  Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course. Email her on: benghiat@sagateway.com

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.

The exhibition industry in SA is fast becoming a significant player in business tourism. In the light of the above, we profile two of South Africa’s main exhibition companies. Don’t forget to vote for the company you feel might edge slightly ahead of the other by the end of this year. For this reason we focus on Kagiso Exhibitions & Events vs Thebe Exhibitions.

Kagiso Exhibitions & Events: CEO: Gordon Metz

Overview of the company
We own and manage some of the largest events on the African continent. The company was formed in February 1999 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kagiso Media Ltd, itself a subsidiary of Kagiso Trust Investments, one of South Africa’s leading broad-based empowerment groups.

How big is the staff complement?
We have a dedicated staff of over 150 people in three major cities of South Africa; Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, enabling us to expertly offer an all round seamless service, from concept design and creative through to infrastructure and technical.

What makes you unique?
Kagiso Exhibitions & Events is the only exhibitions and events company in South Africa which offers the complete spectrum of exhibition services in-house including:

• Concept development
• Programme development
• Exhibition & Graphic Design
• Interactive Audio-Visual Design
• Infrastructure and Logistics
• Travelling Exhibition Services
• Marketing
• Media Planning & Management
• Exhibitor Management
• Visitor Management
• Event Management
• Financial, Legal and Risk Management

What is your capacity regarding large events?
We are fortunate to have staff that is dedicated to organising and managing large exhibitions and events. At the same time we have a network of trusted specialist service providers that we regularly call on to deliver on specific requirements. Kagiso Exhibitions and Events have managed some of the largest government related exhibitions, conferences and events including:

• World Climate Conference in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2006
• World Summit of Sustainable Development (2002)
• United Nations world Heritage Conference and Exhibition (2005)
• X111 International Aids Conference.

Which are some of events do you currently own?

• Rand Show
• Auto Africa
• Johannesburg International Motor Show
• South African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX)

What is perhaps your largest or best known acquisition or event?
The annual Tourism Indaba, the continent’s premier travel trade exhibition, showcasing the best the Southern African region has to offer the international tourism trade.

What does Kagiso Exhibition’s immediate future look like?
Kagiso Exhibitions & Events has been contracted to design and develop the NECSA Visitor Centre. This will include project managing the renovation of the exterior of the Visitor Centre building and the precinct into the mini-science park, developing a temporary exhibition area and auditorium, and developing the new NECSA Nuclear Science Centre, all to be complete by the end of 2009.

Thebe Exhibitions & Events: Managing Director: Carol Weaver

Overview of the company
Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group is one of Southern Africa’s most forward thinking and successful exhibition and event organisers. In the business of linking people with a common interest, TEPG, since its inception in South Africa in 1997, has steadily increased market share in an industry that promotes the ultimate form of communication – direct personal contact.

Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group shareholders and Thebe Tourism Group, the heritage-based tourism division of the Thebe Investment Corporation, who has 70% stake in the Group. In order for the exhibitions and events industry to sustain growth in South Africa and expand into the neighbouring regions we recognised a well matched BEE partnership as essential to future business opportunities.

How big is the staff complement?
We have 55 staff members of which are 25.1-50% female shareholders, female executive directors/ senior management: 25.1-50% and female staff members: 50.1%-100%

What makes you unique?
Our motto says it all: “Winning and creating miracles in Exhibition & Project Management is not a sometimes thing; it’s an all-the-time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit.”

What is your capacity regarding large events?
The Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) has been admitted as a full member of UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry. In addition, the group’s flagship exhibition, Decorex Joburg, has been granted the status of a “UFI approved event.”

UFI represents 529 member organisations in 203 cities worldwide and its members include exhibition organisers, venue managers, associations, and partners of the exhibition industry. Members represent more than 4 000 trade fairs and exhibitions in which more than one million exhibitors participate each year, with attendance of some 150 million visitors.

Which events do you own?
Thebe’s portfolio includes 17 well-known titles such as Decorex, Gardenex and the World Holiday and Travel Fair. It also manages Meetings Africa on behalf of South African Tourism. The group’s venue management division is responsible for the management of the Coca-Cola dome, one of South Africa’s top exhibition and events venues.

What is perhaps your a largest or best known acquisition or events?
EXSA – Decorex Cape – Best Trade and Consumer Show (3 consecutive years); eVentage Exhibition of the Year; Top 100 Companies.

What does Thebe Exhibition’s future look like?
Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group seeks to strengthen and to grow its position as the premier Exhibitions & Project Management Company in Africa, leading to sustainable and long term benefits to the community in which we serve. We are committing all of our experience and resources to inspiring and harnessing the most fundamental form of communication that exists – direct personal contact. Our mission is to invest in quality people and products, and to provide a level of service unsurpassed in Africa.

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.

About Author
Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course. Email her on: benghiat@sagateway.com

Hospitality Property Fund: CEO Gerald Nelson

Who are you?
Hospitality Property Fund is a property loan stock company, which invests in properties in the hotel and leisure industries. The Fund is a publicly traded company and is listed on the JSE under the ‘Financials – Real Estate’ sector.

How big is your portfolio?
Hospitality’s portfolio consists of investments in 23 hotel and resort properties.

Core function?
The Fund was established with the aim of offering unit holders an investment vehicle with exposure to the hospitality sector through the ownership of hotel and leisure properties. Both the property and hotel and leisure sectors have recorded sustained growth of late and the prospects for these sectors continue to be positive.

The Fund consists of investments in 23 hotel and resort properties in South Africa, and is highly diversified in terms of geographic location, star grading, fixed and variable income, and market mix. The properties were independently valued at R2,73 billion.

The Fund’s earnings are distributed in full, as debenture interest, free of tax and linked unit holders consequently are subject to tax according to their individual tax status.

How many properties are you associated with and where are they?
The Fund’s property portfolio consists of interests in 23 hotel and resort properties in South Africa. The properties can be categorised into three lease segments, namely; fixed lease properties, C-Corp lease properties and variable lease properties.

The fixed lease segment includes interests in six properties, which accounted for 53% of total rental income for the year ended 30 June 2008. These properties comprise the Birchwood Executive Hotel and Conference Centre, Champagne Sports Resort, Kopanong Hotel and Conference Centre, Park Inn Greenmarket Square, Premier Hotel King David, and the Radisson Hotel Waterfront. Rentals under fixed lease agreements are determined by contractual lease terms with inflation-linked escalations. The lease on the Birchwood Executive Hotel and Conference Centre further includes a turnover rental component.

C-Corp lease properties are: The Bayshore Inn, The Imperial Hotel, Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Protea Hotel Marine, Protea Hotel Richards Bay, Protea Hotel Victoria Junction, The Hazyview Hotel, Hluhluwe Hotel & Safaris, The Richards Hotel, The Rosebank Hotel and The Winkler Hotel.

The variables lease category comprises interests in five Courtyard Hotels, situated in Arcadia, Cape Town, Eastgate, Rosebank, and Sandton. City Lodge Hotels Limited is both tenant and manager for these hotels.

New developments?
Hospitality has committed significant funds to expanding, redeveloping, and refurbishing a number of properties in the portfolio to strategically position these for maximum long-term growth. The combined capital value of these projects is approximately R500 million, the majority of which will be completed during the coming financial year.

The redevelopment of The Rosebank has been completed at an approximate cost of R314 million. It is expected that the works at the Mount Grace Country House and Spa will completed towards the end of the financial year with the budgeted cost of R140 million. Refurbishments at the three properties in Richards Bay and The Winkler hotel are on track and are anticipated to be completed during the course of the second half of this financial year.

African Sun Limited: CEO Shingi Munyeza

Who are you?
African Sun manages select hotels, casinos, and resorts in prime tourist destinations and major cities. World renowned hotels, The Grace In Rosebank, South Africa, The Victoria Falls Hotel and Obudu Mountain Resort, Nigeria are part of its portfolio.

How big is your portfolio?
In excess of 18 major hotels.

Core function?
Through a clearly defined strategy for expansion into high growth African markets, African Sun intends to grow its current 2,500 rooms under management to 8,500 rooms by 2012. This will be achieved through acquisition of long-term lease arrangements, management contracts, and partnerships with property developers in a manner that maximises efficiencies and minimises operational risk.

African Sun has re-defined its business to encompassing all aspects of the tourism chain to provide a holistic hospitality and leisure product meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of guests. This responsive ethos has been extended to our investors and we are proud to launch AfricanSunInvestor.com.

How many properties are you associated with and where are they?
The Zimbabwe operations portfolio currently comprises 13 hotels and resorts across the nation including three resort hotels in the town of Victoria Falls, namely Elephant Hills Resort, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls and The Victoria Falls Hotel, jointly managed with Kingdom Meikles Africa Limited. Close to the resort town of Victoria Falls in Hwange is African Sun’s safari operation, Hwange Safari Lodge.

The Eastern region’s city hotels include five Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) affiliated brands, the Crowne Plaza Monomotapa, and the four Holiday Inn branded hotels in Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, and the Express By Holiday Inn Beitbridge. In addition to these, the Group also operates the Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo, which is located within walking distance from the National Monument (Zimbabwe Ruins). The three resorts in the Eastern Region are Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga, and Caribbea Bay Resort located in Kariba. Fothergill Island, a safari lodge, is also located in Kariba.

In South Africa operations are made up of The Grace in Rosebank, and the Lakes Hotel & Conference Centre in Benoni, both in Johannesburg. In Nigeria, the Group operates under management contract Obudu Mountain Resort, Utanga Lodge, and Amber Tinapa in Cross River State, Nike Lake Resort in Enugu State and a specialised Spa hotel in Lagos called Clear Essence California Wellness Centre and Boutique Hotel. In Ghana, there is Holiday Inn Accra Airport.

Also under its wing, African Sun Limited holds an 18.96% equity interest in Dawn Properties Limited, an investment property holding company formed and listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in 2003 when the Group spun-off wholly owned property interests; retaining the hotel management business. Dawn Properties owns nine of the properties that African Sun leases and operates in Zimbabwe.

New developments?
Right now, we are focusing a lot on the 201 World Cup. We are trying to get as many rooms as possible in South Africa ahead of the World Cup to take advantage of 2010. We are hoping we would have opened markets in Lusaka and Gaborone by 2010 as there will be a capacity shortage during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.