COVID-19’S EFFECT ON ICC/FISH OPERATOR

EZULWINI – Effects of COVID-19 on the global hospitality industry could be a blow for government to quickly get an operator to manage the ICC/five-star hotel.

ICC stands for International Convention Centre. It has been established that many hotel operators around the world are currently working on strategies to regain money lost during lockdowns implemented by governments. Many of these hotels are still closed or operating with a skeleton staff. The global airline industry, which is linked to tourism, has lost E13 trillion. Hospitality industry economists said there was no or little chance that established hotel brands could invest outside borders.

A source close to government said the only hotel, which Eswatini should consider persuading to operate the ICC and five-star hotel, is Hilton Garden Inn. This is not to suggest that Hilton has opened negotiations with government to manage the hotel. The source said it could be much easier or convenient for Hilton Garden Inn to run the facility because this global brand is positively perceived in the local market. Hilton runs a hotel in Mbabane, which was built by the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF). However, the source said government should have begun negotiations with brands like Hilton a long time ago.

He said they should have also involved them in internal fittings of the ICC and hotel because they usually require construction to conform to their standards. For instance, Hilton’s team of experts and professionals support the owner in every step of the design and construction process. In case it were to take over, it was going to assign a project director to the hotel owner to be a principal point of contact. The project director is focused on ensuring a smooth and trouble-free delivery of the highest-quality property.

Brands

It is understood that such brands have to approve even door handles, lights, jacuzzi – hot tubs, bath tubs and bathroom products. They can even disapprove types of doors fitted if they don’t match their standard. It must be said that the ICC is currently built without an operator. Under normal circumstances, the operator should have been on the ground a long time ago.
To illustrate how hotel operators conduct their business, Hilton, for instance, announced a new programme in April 2020 to deliver an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection in its properties around the world.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: