THE on-again, off-again financial future of Knysna's Parkes Manor Hotel - which was placed under liquidation in October last year - has resulted in it being dropped by all the travel agents and for the first time since its establishment, it will have a zero occupancy rate for the coming long weekend.
"The uncertain future of the hotel has created a lot of mistrust with the more than 25 travel agents who used to regularly book our hotel, which is quite understandable," says hotel manager, Gilliane Tompkins.
To draw visitors, the hotel has dropped its prices considerably and she says that Internet bookings and regular visitors are still using it, although the general occupancy is "very low".
Tompkins told Travel Now that the hotel's current owner, Lorrian van Vuuren, had failed to procure the partnership of a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company which would have allowed him to purchase the hotel for R5,24m.
Van Vuuren made this last-ditch attempt to save the hotel after it was unable to secure an acceptable bid at the auction held in March.
Tompkins says that there may still be a glimmer of hope for the future since two prospective buyers have made an appointment with the liquidators, with the objective of purchasing the hotel.
"The couple already own two well-known properties in Cape Town and will purchase the hotel as a going concern."
(Adele Mackenzie)
