Media Release 4 April 2010. Mossel Bay Tourism

Four Mossel Bay Properties in AA Awards List

http://www.dibiki.co.za/

(IMAGE: Dibiki Resort, Mossel Bay)

Four Mossel Bay properties have been selected as finalists in the 2010 AA Travel Guides American Express® Accommodation Awards.

“Dibiki Resort has been named in the Caravan / Campsites category; The Protea Hotel Mossel Bay made it into the Full Service Hotel category; the Garden Route Game Lodge is a contender for Game Lodge of the year; and the ATKV Hartenbos Beach Resort is a finalist for the Large Self-Catering Resort of the Year Award,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm.

According to the organisers of the Accommodation Awards, they have been recognising “the cream of South African accommodation establishments for 17 years – and thanks to the continuing high standards of winners, the Awards have become a highly sought after feather in the cap of establishments across the country.”

“The AA Award is a benchmark of quality, so whilst we’re thrilled that four local properties have made the cut, we’re not totally surprised – because Mossel Bay is one of South Africa’s best quality destinations, both in terms of its accommodation and attractions and terms of price,” said Ms. Holm.

“It’s important to us that the awards are consumer-based (guests can vote electronically or by post whenever they stay at a participating property), and that, because of the wide variety of categories, the winner in each market segment has been judged against properties of similar size that offer similar services,” she said.

Ms. Holm said that Mossel Bay Tourism was excited that the four local finalists are all popular with South African visitors, “because South Africa remains first and foremost our largest source market.

“Mossel Bay is currently promoting itself as the South African’s Destination during this year’s FIFA World Cup because it is accessible and affordable, and, taken together, our four finalists represent a good core sample of the kind of accommodation on offer,” she said.

Martie Pretorius, who owns Dibiki Holiday Resort with her husband, Oosie, said, “Of course we’re very happy, and we’re hoping to win again.” (Dibiki took the prize in 2009, after having appeared in the list of finalists in 2007 and 2008.)

Asked what she felt had contributed to getting her resort onto the list this year, she said: “I think it’s because we work hard to get to know all our guests.

“It’s a small resort, with four self-catering chalets, one safari tent, and 31 caravan sites, so it’s relatively easy to keep an eye on everything.”

Ms. Pretorius said that the resort still had capacity for the June and July holidays – the period of the World Cup.

“We’ll be charging our normal out of season rates at that time of year, and we’re hoping to attract a lot of South Africans, and perhaps also some of those World Cup fans who’ll be travelling the country in motor homes,” she said.

The organisers of the Awards said that, “The winners of the top awards are those establishments that consistently outperform their peers in the industry, and work exceptionally hard to make sure that their guests tell us all about it.”

Ms. Holm said that properties that won AA Travel Guides American Express® Awards would stand to benefit enormously.

“It’s always easier and more convincing to sell something that’s been endorsed by consumers – and these Awards are recognised as such,” she said. “Being able to display a winner’s certificate in your lobby and on your marketing material is therefore hugely beneficial.

By tradition, the winners are announced at a Gala Banquet during the annual SA Tourism Indaba, which will run this year at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre from the 8th to the 11th of May. The Banquet itself will take place on the 9th of May.

“We’re very proud of our four finalists, and we’re looking forward to congratulating them as winners on that evening,” said Ms. Holm.

More information -

Mossel Bay: www.visitmosselbay.co.za
Dibiki Resort: www.dibiki.co.za
Protea Hotel Mossel Bay: www.oldposttree.co.za
Garden Route Game Lodge: www.grgamelodge.co.za
ATKV Hartenbos Beach Resort: www.hartenbos.co.za

ENDS

Tags: AA Awards, ATKV, beach, caravan park, dibiki, game lodge, garden route, hartenbos, mossel bay, protea hotel, resort