Hospitality Tips is something I’d like to offer you to use to better your tourism product and service. I am passionate about tourism and this is a means of encouraging all you wonderful people in our South African hospitality industry!  After all, tourism is valuable in not only monetary value but it also represents South Africa a country I am proud of. If there is anyway I am able to assist you, your staff and venue – then I know there will be another happy guest who will recommend your venue to someone else and add your link to the ‘referred-venues-chain’ of the South Africa hospitality industry.

I grew up in what was then, a “farm hotel in the Drakensberg of South Africa” yes, they did exist! My parents were a part of the management team of The El Mirador Hotel, owned by the Smith Family.  Guests became our extended family staying from 2-3 weeks in holiday season! Evening entertainment meant hours of laughter and fun with the guests as management took turns to set up tricks, talent shows and all sorts of games using string, marie-biscuits, apples and a whistle; nights of bingo and other board games were interspersed by evening slide shows of the mountains, mountaineers, fauna and flora of our region.  Meal and tea times were chimed on a large Glockenspiel and guests were never rushed!  Those who preferred something stronger than Cola-tonic would bring their own liquor and leave it in the unlocked fridges, as it was an un-licensed hotel.  There were no safes, only simple drawers in which to place your valuables… This was my introduction to my hospitality tips.

I watched my aunt and uncle who were also involved in the hospitality trade in the northern part of the Drakensberg treat their guests in a similar way and it was through living this way of life where I learnt the art of hosting guests – from my family. I have remained in the tourism industry simply, because that is what makes me happy!

Times have changed but there is no need for us to ever drop our level of service, no matter if you are from an ungraded- or from a 5 star-graded establishment, service is what makes or breaks the chain!

There are wonderful ways to promote your product, to make your venue better than it already is and to get your staff motivated and equipped to handle any situation and/or guest that comes with this business.

In time to come, I hope to send you information I have sourced and researched about the industry, hospitality tips about my own experiences in the hospitality industry and ideas that may help your venue to become a strong link in the South Africa ‘referred-venues-chain’.

Happy hospitality tips, from
Jennie