"HAVING successfully weathered a stormy period which encompassed the Karos Group's liquidation and subsequent suspension of the management contract with Swiss-owned Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg, is looking forward to a brighter future under new management and new ownership."
This according to the hotel's new general manager, Thomas Overbeck, who told Travel Now that his previous position as gm of the Karos Manhattan in Pretoria had given him insight into the modus operandi of the Indaba.
"The hotel is in the process of being purchased and the new owners are incredibly supportive. They are, however, adamant that they wish to maintain a low profile, at least for the time being," says Overbeck.
He says the hotel will therefore have the added advantage of running as an independent hotel which will allow for "speedier decision-making and greater innovation" in its management and day-to-day operation.
"We have good operators who have a very professional approach to their work. If there is a challenge it will be to increase the service ethic from an operational focus to a guest-orientated one."
Several key positions had been placed on hold until the hotel's future could be determined, but Overbeck says the Indaba is once again in a position to attract "first-rate" staff. The first of these, the position of deputy general manager and banqueting and convention manager, was filled three weeks ago by Volkmar Fürweger.
Fürweger told Travel Now that part-completed refurbishments, started under the reign of Movenpick, would now be finished.
"Our philosophy is to give guests a warm, homely environment and we hope to achieve that with a few extra, personal touches. This is reflected not only in the decor, but in the personalised service of our staff," he says.
According to him, the hotel's occupancy rate has been "quite good" but he hopes to get the hotel back above the standard Johannesburg occupancy rate of 60%.
"To achieve this, we will be actively wooing back all our old partners and put out the message that we're again very much in business. It must be said, that despite its liquidation, the Indaba Hotel was named as a finalist for the prestigious Venue Finder's Leading Venues Awards. That's quite an achievement and it proves that the hotel is still a major force in the industry."
Featuring 28 conference rooms, three function rooms and a main auditorium with fixed seating for 180 people, the 210-room hotel will pursue the conference and events markets, but it will also place a stronger emphasis on its leisure market.
Despite the recent influx of hotels and conference centres in Johannesburg, Overbeck is confident that the Indaba will continue to be "one of the major players".
The Indaba recently became the sixth company to be signed up by the Pretoria-based Sable Hospitality and Marketing Alliance, headed up by well-known industry personality, Reg Ferreira.
(Adele Mackenzie)
