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Innovation at the heart of recovery for Africa’s hospitality sector

The Hotel Show

he 2022 Hotel & Hospitality Show, Managing Director of the Capital Hotel All speakers agreed that while the
organised by dmg events, kicked Group, Marc Wachsberger, added that while pandemic had severely impacted the hotel
Toff on 19 May at the Sandton collaboration and co-working had become and hospitality industry, a strong recovery
Convention Centre in Johannesburg – the the new operative way for hotels post-Covid, for the sector was imminent, with global
first in-person event of its kind since the the Capital Hotel Group had chosen to economies opening and tourism on the rise.
pandemic struck the tourism and leisure steer away from collaborating with student Evan Schiff, Portfolio Director of Food,
industry in South Africa. Attended by housing so as not to dilute their core hotel Hospitality and Trade at dmg events
thousands of leading stakeholders from offering. However, he welcomed the boost concluded: “Overall, we are delighted with
within the private and public sectors, event from local tourism, which he said had gone a the response to the 2022 Hotel & Hospitality
speakers hailed innovation as the key to long way to resurrect the industry. Show. Considering the severe impacts of
survival within the sector, after an immensely Operations Director of Legacy Hotels lockdown on the sector, to see so many
challenging period. and Resorts, Glenn Stutchbury, encouraged thousands of people attend, and to experience
City Lodge Hotel Group COO, Lindiwe the sector not to overlook country-centric the support of so many restaurants and
Sangweni-Siddo, explained the Group’s need partnerships with a reward system, pointing hotel GMs, really amplifies the importance
to sell off hotels outside of South Africa to out that it would be easier than partnering of providing a platform for the industry to
survive the pandemic. However, she added with international rewards systems post- come together and discuss the best route
that they had ultimately come out stronger, Covid. to recovery. We will be focusing our efforts
with food and beverage sales an increasingly Restaurant Association of South Africa on expanding the sectors represented at the
important consideration within the sector. (RASA) - in collaboration with the Hotel and show to better provide resources to the sector
Executive Director of Newmark Hotels, Hospitality Show - held its annual Rosetta in 2023 and beyond.” dw
Mike Vroom, agreed that food and beverage Awards during the three-day event, to
sales had become a lifeline for their business. recognise eateries, suppliers and personalities www.thehotelshowafrica.com
He explained their strategy of partnering committed to service excellence in the sector.
with restaurants within their space to bring
more people through the doors and generate
an income.
“Such partnerships have proven beneficial
for all parties,” he said, with restaurateurs
typically viewing the industry differently and
therefore being able to bring a new dynamic
to the relationship.
“As a result of our different approach to
the industry, we have had our strongest 18
months on the food and beverage side,” said
Vroom.

dw • Issue 255 13