IN a move to cater for the specific needs of local travellers, the Park Hyatt Johannesburg, will offer GDS quoted rates in rands - inclusive of 14% value added tax (VAT) - as opposed to US dollars.
Director of Business Development at the Hyatt, Anne Francis, says the inclusion of 14% VAT in quoted rates brings the rate structure of the hotel in line with local preferences.
"Although it may appear that rates are higher, this is not the case, they now simply include the VAT. Additionally, Park Hyatt has decided to introduce a single-rate system on the GDS and the Internet in order to standardise rate structures and to facilitate reservations made by travel agents."
Francis says agents wanting to make reservations in ZAR are no longer required to phone the reservations department at the hotel directly but can access the ZAR rates through the GDS.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
