TNA Magazine - Issue 5

TourismNews Africa Issue 005

LEVERAGING IT INNOVATIONS

January 2024

Q & A CORNER: KRUGER GATE HOTEL

HIGH ON TRAVEL

CANNABIS TOURISM & IT TECHNOLOGY

KrugerSafari DISCOVER A UNIQUE

EXPERIENCE

Ideally located at the Kruger National Park Located in the Greater Kruger Conservancy, right at the Paul Kruger Gate and on the banks of the iconic Sabie River. A lodge-style hotel, famed for its soaring wooden walkways and treetop ambiance, uniquely offers classic Big 5 safaris in the Kruger National Park with all the comforts of an upmarket hotel experience.

BOOK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR THE BEST AVAILABLE RATES www.krugergatehotel.com Tel: +27 13 735 5671 / WhatsApp: +27 63 694 6697

Content 4

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Editors Letter

High On Travel :Destinations Embracing Cannabis Tourism

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Leveraging IT Innovations

Q & A Corner : Anton Gillis

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TNA STAYS @ QWABI : Podcast with Dr Andre Uys 3

Editor’s W

Letter

elcome to a new year & welcome to another fascinating edition of Tourism News Africa!

This time around, our focus is on the intersection of cannabis tourism and IT technology in Africa’s thriving hospitalityandtourism industries.

In our premiere article, “High on Travel: Destinations embracing Cannabis Tourism,” we traverse the African continent to spotlight countries leading the charge in the budding cannabis tourism sector.

From South Africa’s unique ganja-infused experiences to Lesotho’s pioneering in medicinal cannabis, we explore destinations offering singular engagements for cannabis enthusiasts. Our journey takes us right from the Western Cape’s Wilderness National Park offering ‘bud and breakfast’ to Tzaneen in the Limpopo province with its stoned yoga and edible offerings.

For those interested in the socio-cultural dynamics, there’s an opportunity to interact with the Rastafari community in Soweto. On the other hand, eco-tourists looking to make a sustainable choice can find respite in the environmentally friendly practices at the Purple Haze Eco Lodge. All these immersive experiences undeniably demonstrate the tremendous economic potential of cannabis tourism in Africa.

infusion of groundbreaking IT solutions.

We delve into the extensive application of AI-powered technologies like Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) and chatbots that redefine guest experiences. There’s a detailed analysis of how high-tech Revenue Management Systems (RMS) and Property Management Systems (PMS) optimize operational aspects, resulting in a seamless and personalized rendezvous for tourists.

Security and sustainability, both of paramount importance to the African hospitality industry, are areas that have seen tremendous growth.

We explore how state-of-the-art security solutions coupled with green technologies are ensuring guest safety and minimizing environmental impact.

As we delve into the details of these intriguing topics, we hope this edition offers you plenty of knowledgeable insights and inspiring narratives. It is our belief that understanding these transformative aspects in the tourism industry will open new vistas of possibilities for regions, investors, travellers, and cannabis and IT enthusiasts alike.

We hope that this edition provides you with the vigour to start your year off with travel-filled experiences.

While cannabis tourism presents an unconventional travel adventure, the African hospitality industry leverages innovative IT solutions, which has become its backbone. Our second feature, “Leveraging IT Innovations: Revolutionizing the African Hospitality Industry with Advanced Technologies,” showcases the transformative shift brought about by the

Wade Scobbie Editor

For more information please contact us : wade@trevparworld.com www.trevparworld.com

High on

Destinations embracin

I

n recent years, there has been a significant shift in travel trends as cannabis tourism emerges as a growing industry. As more countries in Africa legalize the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes, new travel opportunities are emerging for cannabis enthusiasts. This article explores several destinations in Africa that have embraced cannabis tourism, offering unique experiences and a chance to immerse oneself in the world of marijuana.

Lesotho:

South Africa:

Zimbabwe:

In South Africa, the private use and cultivation of cannabis were decriminalized by a ruling of the Constitutional Court in 2018. This means that adults are allowed to possess and use cannabis in private spaces. There are tour operators offering cannabis-focused experiences.

Zimbabwe legalized the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes in 2018.

The country has established a regulatory framework and a licensing system for cannabis cultivation and production.

Lesotho became the first African country to legalize the cultivation and production of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes in 2017. This country has attracted interest from investors and entrepreneurs.

While precise details on cannabis tours may be limited, it is possible to find companies offering educational visits to cannabis farms and production facilities.

Malawi:

These tours include visiting cannabis dispensaries, learning about cultivation techniques, and exploring the local culture and history surrounding cannabis. The personal possession and private use of cannabis has been decriminalised in the country, and it seems as if government is increasingly looking towards capitalising on the potential economic benefits of the plant. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the matter in February last year, stating that the cannabis industry had a potential annual value of R28bn (€1.6bn), and would alleviate unemployment by creating 130 000 jobs.

In 2020, Malawi passed a law to legalize the cultivation, processing, and export of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes. The law allows licensed entities to cultivate, produce, store, and distribute cannabis for medical use.

Zambia: In 2019, Zambia legalized the production of cannabis for exportation for medicinal purposes.

The country allows licensed entities to cultivate, process, and export cannabis products.

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n Travel

ng Cannabis Tourism The majority of cannabis tourism options in Africa are “bud and breakfast” lodgings, which are essentially locations where visitors can stay and enjoy smoking marijuana. One such place to stay is Treedom Villas and Vardos, which is situated in the Western Cape’s Wilderness National Park. In the Eastern Cape, Purple Haze Eco Lodge welcomes dagga smokers, who can light up on the deck.

From a string of prestigious clubs in Johannesburg and the Cape to ganja-infused horseback riding experiences in Pondoland on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, the cannabis tourism industry appears to be moving forward with enthusiasm with its endeavours. In the Limpopo province, Tzaneen offers high hiking, stoned yoga, and edibles from the mountain brewery.

In addition, South Africa is just as well-known as California or Jamaica for their marijuana.

It possesses terroir, as it is known in French wine terminology.

Integrity as in the earthy tastes and scents that the grapes’ particular habitat, farming practises, and growing environment bring to the wine.

That being said, cannabis tours are not a wholly novel idea in South Africa. In addition to visiting a Rastafari community in Soweto and learning how to grow and cook cannabis, High Holidaze in Johannesburg offers four- or five-day itineraries that include numerous other activities like visiting the Cradle of Humankind and exploring Vilakazi Street, one of the most famous streets in the world.

As the acceptance and legalization of cannabis continue to expand worldwide, destinations embracing cannabis tourism are becoming more prevalent. These destinations offer unique experiences for cannabis enthusiasts. As more countries explore the potential economic benefits of cannabis tourism, we can expect to see an increasing number of destinations catering to this growing niche. It’s an exciting time for cannabis enthusiasts looking to combine their love for travel with their passion for marijuana.

Image source - Treedom villas : https://www.treedomvillas.co.za/Our-Villa

Leveraging IT

Revolutionizing the Industry with Adva

T

he African hospitality industry is experiencing a transformative shift through the application of cutting-edge information technology (IT) solutions. These advancements are not only enhancing guest experiences but also driving sustainable practices within the industry. In this article, we will explore specific examples of how IT is reshaping the African hospitality sector by revolutionizing guest interactions, optimizing operations, and promoting sustainability.

1. Intelligent Guest Interaction: Hotels across Africa are adopting Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) and chatbots to establish seamless guest experiences. These AI-powered technologies facilitate personalized guest interactions, offering quick responses to inquiries, booking assistance, and room service requests. By implementing IVAs, hotels are able to provide real-time local recommendations, personalized check-in procedures, and virtual concierge services, ultimately ensuring a frictionless and customized stay.

2. Advanced Revenue Management Systems: Revenue management plays a critical role in maximizing profitability within the hospitality industry. African hotels are leveraging sophisticated Revenue Management Systems (RMS) fuelled by machine learning algorithms.

These systems optimize pricing strategies,

inventory allocation, and demand forecasting by analyzing historical data, competitor rates, and market trends.By dynamically adjusting pricing and availability, hotels can increase revenue and occupancy rates, as exemplified by leading hotels in Johannesburg utilizing RMS to optimize their pricing strategies.

3. Integrated Property Management Systems: Efficiency in operations is essential to achieve success in the African hospitality industry. Hotels are increasingly adopting Integrated Property Management Systems (PMS), enabling centralized management of key operations. These systems automate tasks such as reservations, guest profiles, billing, and housekeeping operations, streamlining the flow of information between departments.

The implementation of PMS ensures operational efficiency, significantly reducing manual errors and enhancing overall productivity.

4. Cutting-Edge Security Solutions: Ensuring guest safety and security is of paramount importance within the hospitality industry. African hotels are investing in smart security solutions that incorporate state-of-the-art technologies. Examples include biometric access control systems, AI-powered video analytics, and near-field communication (NFC) key cards. These advanced security measures provide secure access to guest rooms, elevators, and designated areas, fostering peace of mind while maintaining a high level of safety.

T Innovations

e African Hospitality anced Technologies 5. Green Technologies for Sustainability: Sustainability is a key priority for the African hospitality industry. Hotels are actively embracing green technologies to minimize their environmental impact.

Energy Efficiency Management Systems (EEMS), IoT sensors, and automated energy control systems are being deployed to optimize energy consumption and reduce waste.

By implementing EEMS, hotels can monitor and control energy usage in real-time, fostering sustainability without compromising guest comfort. Additionally, digital platforms are replacing printed materials, promoting eco-friendly practices and minimizing paper usage.

The African hospitality industry is undergoing a radical transformation driven by innovative IT solutions.

Intelligent Guest Interaction, Advanced Revenue Management Systems, Integrated Property Management Systems, cutting-edge security solutions, and green technologies are revolutionizing guest experiences, streamlining operations, and promoting sustainability.

As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of advanced IT solutions will play a vital role in propelling African hospitality to new heights, ensuring unparalleled guest satisfaction and a sustainable future for the region.

Q & A CORNER : KRU 1. Describe the unique features or attractions that make your hotel stand out from competitors in the region.

our Kudyela Restaurant.

We are exceptionally pleased to have had great local partners in developing its new look and feel.

The first aspect of the hotel that makes us stand out from others in the park is our ideal location on the banks of the Sabie River and right at the Paul Kruger Gate, which provides our guests with effortless access to the property.

At Kruger Gate Hotel we provide guests with exceptional Kruger safari experiences in our open-air safari vehicles.

Our safari guides are incredibly knowledgeable and are passionate about the park’s wildlife. We have guides whose careers have spanned nearly 20 years in the bush, so our guests truly are in excellent hands.

Furthermore, we partner with Relate which is a 100% not-for-profit social enterprise founded with the vision to help the less fortunate create better lives for themselves. Relate bracelets create work and provide income to hundreds of elderly and vulnerable women in the townships who participate in the Ikamva Labantu senior club programmes. This helps them to support their families and children in their communities.

The bracelets sold on our property help to raise funds for our local community in Skukuza.

Kruger Gate Hotel has a range of guest room options to suit differing needs and preferences. Our family rooms with two king beds, as well as interleading rooms, make for the perfect family or group stay. The hotel also features the Kruger Luxury Rooms, Kruger Suite, Kruger Deluxe King and Twin, as well as our Kruger Self-Catering Chalets. We’re also able to offer a luxury experience to families and executives in our spacious Nkanyi Suite, which has a private pool and a kitchen, with the option of private dining served by a designated butler.

3. How does your hotel enhance sustainability practices in its operations to minimize its environmental impact?

We have various sustainability practices that we have implemented at the hotel.

All water used at Kruger Gate Hotel is pumped from the river and purified. We use a chemical to enhance flocculation and then filter the water before we add Sodium Hypochlorite. The hotel has eliminated plastic bottles by purifying drinking water through a Vivreau reverse osmosis system. All grey water from the hotel is treated and put back into the river. All wet waste from our kitchens, such as the peels and offcuts from the preparation of food, gets recycled through a local community pig farm. In an effort to save electricity we changed all air-conditioners to inverters, changed all lights to LED’s and individual geysers to central systems using heat pumps. Lastly, two thirds of the property is zoned for conservation.

Our Pool Bar and Viewing Deck is definitely a favoured attraction in the hotel. This is an area where our guests are able to unwind, relax with a drink, cool off from the heat and just marvel at the uninterrupted views of the park. Those who are lucky might even see some of the park’s wildlife - our guests have spotted elephants, hippos and leopards right from the pool.

Surrounded by wilderness and the soothing sounds of nature, our African-inspired spa offers guests an array of treatment options. Our guests can go from the thrill and excitement of a safari straight into spa treatments that will leave them feeling renewed and rejuvenated.

4. What steps does your hotel take to ensure exceptional guest service and satisfaction?

Lastly, Kruger Gate Hotel features four event rooms with a capacity to host 255 people. Whether our guests are planning corporate getaways, or a business meeting in the bush we are able to comfortably accommodate these events.

We treat every guest as a VIP. We acknowledge that a bush getaway is a luxury for most and we are privileged that they choose to stay with us when they visit the Kruger National Park. Our staff and management wear the same uniform, allowing them all to be at hand to our guests to assist them.

2. Are there any recent initiatives or projects that your hotel has undertaken to support local communities or businesses?

We monitor our independent guest feedback platform religiously and look for trends and outliers in an effort to ensure we are delivering our best service, and we celebrate great reviews across the board.

Kruger Gate Hotel worked closely and exclusively with local developers, builders and service providers from the Lowveld region to complete the recent refurbishment of

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RUGER GATE HOTEL 5. Please share any upcoming plans or developments for your hotel in terms of growth and expansion in the tourism industry.

Whilst tourism numbers are growing, the cost to operate hotels of this size is increasing at an alarming rate. The property requires continuous upkeep to meet and exceed guest expectations. Our hotel is a mini town with its own water plant, full backup generator and its own road infrastructure.

Hotels exposed to the outdoors need constant maintenance and as such we have a detailed maintenance plan throughout the year.

We are proud of our high guest satisfaction scores - a 4.5 (out of 5) rating on Google reviews, a 4.5-star rating (out of 5 stars) on TripAdvisor and an 8.9 (out of 10) rating on Booking.com and thousands of positive online reviews detailing our guests’ experiences reflect this.

7. In your opinion, what are some untapped opportunities or potential areas of growth for the local tourism industry as a whole?

Naturally our preferred option is to book directly with us to benefit from the best rates. We are also fortunate enough to enjoy great relationships with the third-party channels like OTA’s and tour operators who have great offerings.

In time, we would love to be able to offer the local market a unique offering in terms of self-catering houses with access to our full hotel.

6. What notable achievements or recognition has your hotel received recently?

The most important achievement of our success is when we get to welcome back guests returning to Kruger Gate Hotel - there is no greater yardstick by which we can measure our service and facilities.

“We treat every guest as a VIP. We acknowledge that a bush getaway is a luxury for most and we are privileged that they choose to stay with us when they visit the Kruger National Park.”

Anton Gillis CEO Kruger Gate Hotel

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STAYS @QWABI Private Game Reserve

An interview with Dr Andre Uys

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