Sands improves to satisfy customers

THE Kalahari Sands Hotel, an establishment under the Sun International Group, officially opened its N$13,5 million refurbishment to guests last Thursday.

The refurbishment included the group welcome lounge, casino extension inclusive of non-smoking and smoking areas, a Salon Prive – for platinum and gold credit-card holders to gamble in privacy and luxury – and a wellness centre. According to the hotel’s Marketing Manager, Tania Reid, the Sands Casino “boasts the first smoking and non-smoking casino” in Namibia.Speaking at the official opening, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Leon Jooste, congratulated Kalahari Sands on the latest developments and said this would boost the number of guests visiting the hotel and thereby enhance the country’s tourism image.”I am delighted to see the commitment by Kalahari Sands and Sun International Group to invest in tourism, and with this improved infrastructure create the opportunity for our tourism industry to grow.”The refurbishment to this hotel is welcome, because Namibia has to adjust to tourism market demands to remain competitive in this business,” he said.Jooste also called on the Kalahari Sands Hotel management to find ways to incorporate staffers to become shareholders, and to work with small enterprises that are breaking into the hospitality industry.Last year in November the introduction of a seven per cent black economic empowerment shareholding in Sun International Ltd was announced.The BEE parties holding the seven per cent share would be in the form of a company named Dinokana Investments (PTY) Ltd.The transaction also saw that an existing Sun International Employee Share Trust would have a 43 per cent share in Dinokana Investments as well as keeping their share in Sun International Ltd.This deal, according to Reid, allowed Kalahari Sands Hotel and Casino employees to participate in the scheme from December 2005,and in turn enjoy a biannual dividend through this share scheme.Kalahari Sands Hotel General Manager John Airey said the next phase would see the refurbishment of all hotel rooms and suites, the lobby, Oasis Bar and the Dunes Restaurant.According to the hotel’s Marketing Manager, Tania Reid, the Sands Casino “boasts the first smoking and non-smoking casino” in Namibia.Speaking at the official opening, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Leon Jooste, congratulated Kalahari Sands on the latest developments and said this would boost the number of guests visiting the hotel and thereby enhance the country’s tourism image.”I am delighted to see the commitment by Kalahari Sands and Sun International Group to invest in tourism, and with this improved infrastructure create the opportunity for our tourism industry to grow.”The refurbishment to this hotel is welcome, because Namibia has to adjust to tourism market demands to remain competitive in this business,” he said.Jooste also called on the Kalahari Sands Hotel management to find ways to incorporate staffers to become shareholders, and to work with small enterprises that are breaking into the hospitality industry.Last year in November the introduction of a seven per cent black economic empowerment shareholding in Sun International Ltd was announced.The BEE parties holding the seven per cent share would be in the form of a company named Dinokana Investments (PTY) Ltd.The transaction also saw that an existing Sun International Employee Share Trust would have a 43 per cent share in Dinokana Investments as well as keeping their share in Sun International Ltd.This deal, according to Reid, allowed Kalahari Sands Hotel and Casino employees to participate in the scheme from December 2005,and in turn enjoy a biannual dividend through this share scheme.Kalahari Sands Hotel General Manager John Airey said the next phase would see the refurbishment of all hotel rooms and suites, the lobby, Oasis Bar and the Dunes Restaurant.