HOTELIERS LOOK FORWARD TO SECTOR GROWTH IN THE LONG-TERM

The South African leg of the Hotel Investment Conference Africa (HICA) ended on a positive note with hoteliers and the wider hospitality industry confident that the current negative cycle will turn in the medium to long-term.  

HICA, held for the first time in the KwaZulu-Natal province, once again attracted the sector’s top local and international captains of industry with hotel brands such as African Sun, City Lodge, Southern Sun, Rezidor, Protea and Hilton hotels represented. 

“We commend the province of KwaZulu-Natal for recognising the value of hosting HICA aligned to another major tourism event, the Tourism Indaba” says Mmatšatši Marobe, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA). “We especially like to thank the CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, Mr. Ndabo Khoza and his team for his support in assisting us to deliver this event”, she said

The provincial partnership was a collaborative effort between the tourism authority and Trade & Investment KZN (TIKZN) and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism (DEDT).  Marobe also thanked event sponsors, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), African Sun Hotels, Grant Thornton and Avis Car Rental for their continued support. 

Themed “Taking Stock”, the HICA 2011 sought to reflect on the current state of the industry post the economic recession and post the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Whilst the concerns were raised about the economic challenges facing the sector in the short-term, many speakers were still optimistic that the cycle will turn in the medium to long-term. 

Key highlights of the conference included a Welcoming Address by the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, Mike Mabuyakhulu who emphasised the need for both the private and public sector to work closely together to ensure continuing growth in the sector.   Other highlights included a one-on-one interview with City Lodge, Clifford Ross in the session “Leaders in the Spotlight”.  Ross also scooped the HICA 2011 Tourism Business Leadership Award.

“Now our focus shifts to HICA Morocco, which will be hosted later this year in September”, explained Marobe. HICA Morocco will be hosted from 26 to 27 September at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Morocco.