Business Development
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WHO WE ARE
The combined experience and expertise of over 250 years has positioned aha Hotels & Lodges suitably to offer distinctive management and marketing support to hotel and lodge owners resulting in expansion of revenue.
We are constantly striving to improve the service offerings and guest experiences throughout our portfolio, setting ourselves the highest standards.
Our strongest and unique aspect is our ability to direct business to our hotels and lodges; it’s one of our KEY STRENGTHS. with Tourvest Inbound Operations and Tourvest Travel Services network which are both linked on-line to the Central Reservations Infrastructure.
Over 15 HOTELS & LODGES
WITH 1,900 ROOMS
IN 7 PROVINCES IN SA
OUR HISTORY
OUR PORTFOLIO
aha Hotels & Lodges is the tourism property management company of Tourvest’s Accommodation and Activities division.
The portfolio of properties that we represent and manage extends across 7 of South Africa’s provinces:
- Gauteng
- Western Cape
- Northern Cape
- North West Province
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Mpumalanga
- Limpopo
We employ (directly and indirectly) over 2 500 people
We achieve over 250 000 bed nights per year
Revenue under our management amounts to R1.5 billion
ADVANTAGES of working with aha
We are established in the hospitality and lodges business; offering specialist hospitality management with a team of professionals from the industry dedicated to focus on the quality standards of small, medium and large luxury and mid-scale hotels, lodges and resorts.
We ensure that your unique needs as an owner are met because we engage with you in all aspects of your business. It’s through this tailored partnership with you as an owner that we deliver returns that exceed the market, improve sustainability, and afford an excellent management infrastructure and an ethical, transparent business relationship.
In addition, aha offers vast benefits to each independent hotel owner;
- Proficient central reservation infrastructure, with strong
market penetration derived from no less than 22 online
channels which include leading global travel distribution
systems such as Galileo, Amadeus, Sabre. - Focused sales and marketing infrastructure aimed at the
key sectors of the supply chain in both the domestic and
international business and leisure sectors. - An efficient revenue management system with an ability
to predict customer expectations, a more effective and
competitive pricing strategy and an expansion of available
markets. - A strong partnership with Tourvest Inbound Operations and
Tourvest Travel Services network which is both linked online
to the Central Reservations Infrastructure.
WE ADD VALUE TO YOUR INVESTMENT
aha has a powerful goal to re-imagine the world of hospitality and is committed to the excellent and extraordinary management of property assets amidst a rapidly evolving world of travel and hospitality. Our goal is to live and embrace all our values in each of the properties in which we operate, building a trusted and secure relationship with each of our owners. Our dedicated and experienced team offers support from project conceptualisation, implementation and completion to the effective day to day running of the businesses in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Business Plan
- Market analysis
- Competitor review
- SWOT analysis
- Pricing positioning
- Revenue Segmentation
- Food and beverage conceptualisation
- Auxiliary revenues
- Benchmark study
- HR staffing matrix/benefits
- Cash flow projections
- Capital requirements
- Pre-opening costs
Quality Plan
- Operations – Regional
- Financial Management – Regional
- Revenue Management – Central
Sales & Marketing Plan
- Market analysis
- Sales opportunities: International, National and Regional
- Marketing collateral
- Website design, implementation and management
- PR campaign, Messaging
- Social media
- Workshops, Tradeshows, Networking functions
- RFP/Tenders, Tender opportunities
- Revenue management
- Rates/Inventory management
Focused on areas of expertise:
Revenue Management
- Sales and marketing teams (Regional, National and International)
- Global representation in 5 key feeder markets to Africa
- Hotel/lodge based teams and regional sales structures
- Central revenue management structure
- Dedicated central reservations office, growing revenues
- Rates and system blueprint
- Management and inventory allocation of contract negotiations
- Dynamic pricing structures
- Online channel management and benefits flow through to properties
- Marketing department centrally located to support in:
— Website creation
— Digital production
— PR campaigns
— Brand messaging
— Social media - The loyalty program is aligned with competitor programs offering real rewards to guests
Operations
- Regional teams
- Strategic planning/overview
- Owner interaction/meetings (monthly/quarterly)
- Business planning
- Facilities management:
— Risk management assessment
— Risk planning
— Preventative maintenance programs
— Sustainability/environmental
management programs - Capital investment planning
- Legal support
- Business review
— STR
— Quarterly forecasts - Menu conceptualisation
- Menu planning and pricing
- Procurement
- Quality management program
Financial Management
- Regional teams
- Monthly owners interaction meetings – management accounts
- Debtors/creditors – weekly oversight role
- Payroll processing oversight
- Information technology
— POPI Act
— ECT Act
— Data warehouse (MIS)
— System review oversight
— Business continuity - Procurement
— Supplier agreement
— BEE compliance Benchmarking
— Food and beverage direction
Human Resources
- Recruitment tools
- Benchmark salary surveys
- BEE plans
- Wage negotiations
- Performance management programs
- Training
— Skills
— Workplace
— Statutory
— Advancement programs
— IR support
— Legal overview
Guest Satisfaction & Reputational Management
- eGuest management
- eGuest survey
- Mystery guest visit
- Annual quality audits
Projects, Planning & Developments
- Advising on hotel design facilities to ensure hotel/lodge aligned with market demands
- Brand standards advising on physical and technical requirements
- Spatial planning and design to ensure optimisation of hotel efficiencies
- Food & Beverage conceptualisation and design of areas to optimise efficiencies
- Environmental awareness and adoption of global best practices aligned with local authority requirements
- Ensure optimal use of the back of house areas to increase efficiencies
- Strive to achieve optimal flow throughout properties
Facilities Expertise
- Technical services oversight role to ensure technical compliance with local regulations
- Focus on sustainability issues to drive utility savings and reduction in costs
- Reduction in environmental impact
- Reduction in capital investments by adopting a flexible approach to installations
- Advising on major maintenance and capital works program
Fire Life and Safety
- Review of FL&S standards against the local authority requirements
- Safety and Security is of paramount importance at all our properties
- Risk management assessment
- Risk management programs/plans
- Business continuity plans and programs in place
Our Mission, Vision and Values
OUR MISSION
is to craft experiences that are unique, exciting and give our guest something out of the ordinary to look forward to.
OUR VISION
is to become the most trusted, simple, inspirational & fun brand.
OUR VALUES
Trust
People
Uniqueness
Passion
Generosity
B-BBEE & Ownership Structure
aha Hotels & Lodges is a Level 1 contributor
Industrial Development Corporation Limited
(A national development finance institution set up to promote economic growth and industrial development)
13.24%
Guma Tourism Holdings Limited
(The tourism arm of Guma Investment Holdings, a black-economic empowerment business)
51.03%
Old Mutual Private Equity
(One of South Africa’s leading private equity managers and a JSE listed company)
30.54%
Management and Staff
5.19%
Tourvest Group (Pty) Ltd
100%