IHG Leading The Hotel Industry Worldwide

This Month I was invited to the IHG Media Briefing at The Holiday Inn Express Umhlanga Ridge.

Director of Sales and Marketing in Africa Michael Opondo - one of the Speakers at the briefing.


IHG was here at Tourism Indaba and they proved to be gracious hosts.  In case you don't know it
IHG stands for InterContinental Hotels Group.  They are the leading Hotel Group in the World and
represent a number of leading brands in the Industry.

They are present in 11 Countries and have 9 Franchises in SA.

At the Briefing we were informed on all the latest trends in the Hotel Industry and IHG has
all the latest trends ready for you.

Here are some of the latest trends in the World and in Hotels.

• iPhone booking apps
• The Aerotropolis  - mini cites that grow up around Airports these include hotels, retail malls, offices, business centres, logistics centres and warehouses.  
• Brain Spa's - Lectures, courses, TED Talks
• Ambient Shopping - eg Apple Stores
• In Store Cafe's 
• Performance Sleeping - $70 Billion Dollars Are Lost In Productivity
• Urban Farm Restaurants - Restaurants that farm for themselves
• People will be able to rent their own clothing at Hotels or Shops so you can travel baggage free

IHG also has the following initiatives:

• Green Engage - Online Hotel Design
• IHG Academy - A Global Talent Pool of people that train and work in the Hotels
• IHG Shelter in the Storm - Helps with Natural Disasters
• IHG Innovation

The IHG Brand Includes

• Intercontinental
• Crowne Plaza
• Hotel Indigo
• Holiday Inn
• Holiday Inn Express
• Candlewood Suites

After the Media Briefing we were given a short tour of the Holiday Inn Express.

It really is a wonderful Hotel with some lovely rooms, wonderful sea views and they also offer

Free Wi-Fi options for Clients.   

                  One of the Wonderful rooms at the Holiday Inn Express - Umhlanga Ridge

The Hotel has wonderful attention to detail so much so that you can choose from 3 types of pillows 

for your Bed.

Useful Website Link for IHG

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/ihg/hotels/us/en/reservation

(Story and Pictures by @fredfelton) 

                                                            Picture Of The Week

Umhlanga Pier Like You Have Never Seen It Before 

Picture by @fredfelton

This picture is getting a great deal of RT's and Shares all over.  

Social Media Highlights From #Indaba2012 and Pansa News

Social Media Highlights from Indaba 2012

This year Indaba was full of social media news and had many angles to it.
At the media centre they even had a Twitter Wall which kept you updated with all the
news using the hashtag #Indaba2012

                      The Twitter Wall at The Media Centre at #Indaba2012

They even had their own paper, Indaba Daily News which was full of useful quotes
from people who had Tweeted or put messages on the Indaba Facebook Page.

They also had some very interesting speakers on Social Media and Marketing
including Damian Cook who showed Tourism companies how to leverage social media
and gave them marketing tips and a wonderful book.

After that we heard from Rodney Payne who showed the delegates all the wonders
you can do with Social Media and how to build campaigns and use Social Media
to build your Tourism business.

   
                                                       Rodney Payne - @rodneyp

Here are some useful People and Organisation who were at the convention
who you can follow on Twitter:

• Rodney Payne - @rodneyp
• Damian Cook - @damiancook
• Indaba Daily News - @IndabaDailyNews
• South African Tourism - @GoToSouthAfrica
• Mariette dT-Helmbold - CEO Cape Town Tourism
• Cape Town - @CapeTown
• @SurenNaidoo - his live tweets helped a lot
• @jo_annstrauss - This wonderful MC was there 
• @ihotelschool - their students were involved with a flash mob at Indaba nice one
• Martin Hatchuel - @martinhatchuel - wonderful tweets from this man.
• @bruceybld - one of those behind the scenes of Indaba 2012

(Article and Photography by @fredfelton )


The Pansa AGM is Coming up.

Invitation to all performing arts practitioners and interested parties.
Notice of
PANSA National AGM
Saturday 2 June 2012
to be held in Durban on Saturday 2 June 2012, 10:00
At
The Catalina Theatre, Wilson Wharf, 18 Boatmans Road

As mandated at the National AGM 2011, the National Steering Committee has reviewed and recommended changes to the current constitution. All members are invited to give comment on the proposed Amended Constitution 2012 by email to Brian Heydenrych, brian@pansa.org.za by 25 May 2012 to be collated and ensure inclusion in the discussion at the National AGM 2012. Further comments can be made on the day.
Any members with items that they want included on the agenda should forward these to Mandisa Tshiqi at the PANSA KZN Office: 031 201 4750, mandisa@pansa.org.za by 25 May 2012
This timing is in conjunction with the final weekend of PANSA/NLDTF Festival of Reading of New Writing 2012.


For any questions, please contact Mandisa Tshiqi at the PANSA KZN Office: 031 201 4750,mandisa@pansa.org.za

(Source: Pansa)

In this issue - Happy Mother's Day Mom's and read about Tourism #Indaba2012

Happy Mother's Day Mom's From Umhlanga Life :)

East Coast Radio personalities salute moms.

Mothers are the glue that holds families together. They’re nurturers and leaders. They’re the source of strength in trying times. Their role is the single most important role in society. These are the words that sprang to mind for East Coast Radio’s on-air personalities when thinking about just how vital moms are.

A few of our presenters have shared their personal feelings and fondest memories of their moms, this Mother’s Day. The Workzone’s Makhosi Khozasays, “I once told my mom I was bored, expecting a suggestion of what I could do, she said, ‘It's ok, sometimes there's nothing to do. Just savour and embrace it.’ It made no sense whatsoever at the time but now I'm great with my own company and downtime!”

Abi Ray reminisces fondly, “When I was growing up, Wednesdays used to be house cleaning day; we used to listen to Queen and dance around while cleaning!” Sportswave presenter Dumi Kunene also has warm childhood memories, “I remember my mother getting us ready for church on Sunday mornings, then after church a full-on Sunday lunch was standard!” Damon Beard says there are so many characteristics about his mom that he cherished, “Her head full of knowledge, her heart full of love, ears ready to listen and her hands always willing to help.”

Weekend Breakfast presenter Jane Linley-Thomas who has a close bond with her mom says motherhood has taught her so much about herself. “Only once you have had a child does your heart love to its full capacity. My love tank overflows daily; my heart could not sing any louder” says Jane proudly. She is mom to toddler Cooper and recently found out she is expecting twins in September/October!  So what has her mom taught her that she will be passing on to her children? “That love, loyalty and passionate dedication are a given!”

East Coast Radio wishes the mom’s in KwaZulu-Natal a wonderful Mother’s Day. We salute you ladies!

(Source:  East Coast Radio) 

Indaba is in Town

There are so many stories happening around town all about Tourism Indaba.

We just heard that Tshwane recently became the only city in the world with a big five game reserve
within city boundaries.  The Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve was officially opened last year as part
of the Gauteng Provincial Government's investment initiative and is about 60 minutes drive from
Johannesburg and 30 minutes drive from Pretoria

For further enquiries about what the City of Tshwane has to offer
Contact Ms Dikelede Phiri on 082-386-5743

(Source:  City of Tshwane)