Mossel Bay’s The Point Hotelreceived more recognition for excellence this week when it rose to the top of a group of more than 2,000 establishments from across the globe to become one of 85 finalists named in the 22 categories of the World Luxury Hotel Awards. The Awards were presented at a gala dinner for leading figures in the hospitality industry which was held at the Lanzerac Estate in Stellenbosch on Saturday 18 October.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards was founded by Brandon Lourens just three years ago. “My belief was that the hotel industry, world wide, had absolutely no benchmark award system for hotels that have excelled [and] that these hotels should not be judged by a board of directors, but by the industry itself – only then could we feel that the voting system was fair,” he said. He said that the organising team was surprised by the number of new entries from France, Germany, Dubai, Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, the Maldives and the Caribbean.
“The hotel industry has changed dramatically over the past ten years with the advent of the internet. Now, with a click of your computer mouse you can literally research just about any destination or hotel worldwide, and at the same time make, confirm and pay for your reservation. “This new trend in travel has, of course, led to reservations being made sooner and sooner before arrival.
“In addition the modern traveller is demanding far more for his money than previously as a result of the incredible competition amongst hotels in the Luxury sector. The bar is now constantly being raised to unprecedented levels of luxury and service. Guests are increasingly demanding personal attention in even the largest of Luxury resorts.”
South Africa’s tourism industry was well represented in the awards list, with finalists in twelve of the twenty three categories – and winners in five.
The Point Hotel, the Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa and Country House (best Luxury Country House).
category the world’s best Luxury Coastal Hotel – which was won by the Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa. Other South African winners were The Palazzo Montecasino (world’s best Luxury Casino Resort), the Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa (best Luxury Boutique Hotel), Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge (best Luxury Lodge), Sabi Sabi Private Game Lodge (best Luxury Game Lodge) and De Hoek Country House (best Luxury Country House).
“I was surprised and delighted when they told me that we’d been listed,” said The Point Hotel’s owner, Louis Harris. “These awards are voted for by tourism professionals who are generally very harsh judges – so I it seems that we’re definitely doing something right!”
Chairman of Mossel Bay Tourism, Louis Cook, congratulated the hotel and its staff. “The fact that you were finalists in a competition which is quickly establishing itself as the benchmark in the global tourism industry proves once again that Mossel Bay is indeed a world-class destination,” he said.