Three Cities event highlights transformation efforts

“WE strongly believe in transformation. It’s about giving people a lifeline and that’s what Three Cities is all about,” was the message put forward by Alan Vels, Three Cities managing director during a recent event held to address the hospitality group’s road to transformation. Several key media and industry players attended the Pretoria function to discuss Three Cities Hospitality Group’s focus on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and uplifting local communities. In addition, an address by Dr Bandile Mkhize, director of the Kruger National Park, left guests in no doubt that there was a need to increase awareness about tourism among black South Africans. Mkhize also highlighted the importance of mentorship and outlined plans to provide local communities a market for their products, but added that it was up to government to come to the party and provide training and skills. The Three Cities vision, identified during the event, is to create spin-off opportunities and benefits for the various regions and its people within the company’s portfolio, not only through the creation of tourism developments and activities in the game reserves and hospitality lodges, but also through identification and development of local entrepreneurs. During his address, Vels mentioned several ways in which Three Cities is engaged in transforming the hospitality industry. Among those is the establishment of academies to give students exposure to training in the hospitality industry, the establishment of Akani Hotels of which Three Cities owns a 30% stake and the upcoming empowerment deal which will see 30% of Three Cities hospitality Group sold to an empowerment group. (Natalia Thompson)