Premier bets big on events

PREMIER Hotels & Resorts continues to beef up its position in South Africa’s growing MICE sector. The MICE industry contributes significantly to the national economy and, in step with the trend, Premier believes the development of flexible, well-equipped venues remains critical to both tourism and business travel growth. Developments An important upcoming development is the launch of a new 600-seat banquet facility at Premier Hotel The Richards in Richards Bay, scheduled to open in November. This addition will enhance Premier Hotels & Resorts’ footprint in KwaZulu-Natal and respond to increasing demand for large-scale, professionally equipped conferencing venues in the region. Over the past year, the group has prioritised refurbishments and upgrades at the hotel, aligned with the needs of the meetings and events market. Enhancements at Premier Resort The Winkler include the expansion of conference facilities. This is important for the property’s appeal as a gateway to the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route, making it particularly attractive for incentive groups and conferences looking for a natural setting. In the Garden Route, Premier Express Inn George has expanded to 86 rooms. Room segmentation has been refined to allow for more targeted packaging for business, group and trade clients. Technology Technology remains an important part of the group’s conference offering, particularly in ensuring seamless event delivery. Premier Hotels & Resorts focuses on reliable connectivity, professional conferencing infrastructure, efficient booking support and flexible event solutions. The group’s approach to packaging is centred on creating complete destination offerings rather than simply selling venue space. Packaging Properties are packaged to combine accommodation, conferencing, meals and curated local experiences, allowing clients to blend business requirements with leisure and incentive elements. MICE demand The coastal and urban properties in Cape Town and Umhlanga continue to perform strongly with MICE travellers due to their accessibility, established infrastructure and ability to offer lifestyle-driven extensions to business events. The group is seeing increased interest from event planners in more responsible and experience- led conferencing. Clients are placing greater value on meaningful local experiences, efficient logistics, reduced waste where possible and venues that connect delegates to the surrounding destination. Delegates can expect experiences such as wildlife excursions, scenic tours, cultural activities, coastal leisure experiences and access to iconic destinations, particularly in the Kruger region, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Premier Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio is versatile enough to cater for large-scale conferences, corporate groups, boutique incentives and leisure extensions, ensuring relevance across a broad and evolving market.