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LOUIS GROUP INVESTS IN HOTELS DESPITE ECONOMIC RECESSION

10 MARCH 2009

A collection of Louis Group`s hotels

The global economic recession has undoubtedly affected the tourism industry. People are spending less and more business travellers are opting to stay on the ground. Louis Group, one of the largest privately owned property companies in South Africa with significant interests in the hospitality industry, is embracing forward thinking strategies despite the economic downturn.

"Central to our business philosophy is the intention to lay the foundations for creating wealth for future generations," says Alan Louis, CEO of Louis Group. "In the midst of the current economic climate, I remain convinced that an investment in property should form the foundation of the long-term strategy for wealth creation."

Innovative improvements

The group acquired The Devon Valley Hotel in Stellenbosch in 2003 and last October completed extensive renovations to the four-star property, which was awarded `Best Boutique Hotel - South Africa 2008` by the AA Travel Guide and American Express at last year`s Indaba, South Africa. The ambitious undertaking extended the popular Flavours restaurant, which now can comfortably seat up to 120, and added twenty new rooms - bringing the total to fifty. "We`ve incorporated unique touches to all fifty rooms, to the extent that regular guests often request a specific room," comments Craig Seaman, MD of Louis Group Hotels, Spas & Vineyards. "But despite the ambiance giving individual rooms their distinctive personality, elements such as a common underlying pallet create the characteristic unity running throughout the hotel."

No tourism establishment is complete without its efforts to empower the community and build a sustainable business. "We routinely recycle waste, our hot water system is solar powered and the newly built Vineyard Rooms are equipped with an energy-saving device that automatically switches off all lights and air cons when guests leave their rooms," explains Craig Seaman. "We also sponsor various upliftment programmes for farm kids in the area, including a local primary school for underprivileged children."

Growing collection

The group has also invested in other hotels in the Western Cape, such as Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa in Somerset West, neighbouring the Gary Player-designed Erinvale Golf Course and world famous Vergelegen Wine Estate. Since Louis Group`s acquisition of the Cape Dutch-style property in 2007, the hotel has had all its facilities upgraded, additional conference facilities have been created and the Manor House has been refurbished. As for its green initiatives, Erinvale recycles glass and cardboard, uses borehole water for irrigation and has fitted energy-saving light fixtures wherever possible. The group`s hotels also post signs in rooms, such as to `leave your towel in the bath when you want it washed`, encouraging water saving.

The group`s hotel collection includes Place on the Bay and The Fairways on the Bay on the internationally prestigious Camps Bay strip. Both properties have been revamped and an aesthetic spa now operates on site to offer guests the convenience of popular beauty and rejuvenating treatments. Foreign tourists, who comprise the major part of the group`s hotel revenue, frequent the spa.

Collectively, these sizeable investments in the tourism industry, coming at a time when many companies have curtailed expenditure, is testament to Louis Group`s commitment to create wealth for future generations while prudently weathering the cyclical economic storms. "We are also committed to thinking out the box to ensure our hotels are sustainable businesses," adds Craig Seaman. "We have a number of innovative packages, including the option of creating your own - guests at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa are being given the opportunity to design their own packages and make the most of outstanding local attractions, such as golf on one of South Africa`s leading courses and wine tasting at one of the world`s most famous wine estates - all of which are within walking distance of the hotel."