31 March 2021 – First Group are all set for the influx of guests to their hotels and resorts over the long weekend. Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group says that despite all of their properties across South Africa receiving later-than-usual bookings, many are almost at capacity. He believes that this is a massive win not for only the Group, but the hospitality industry as a whole.
“It has been a tough year for the industry, but we’re starting to see some green shoots as all industry players fight to recover from the crippling effects of the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown. We are particularly thankful to the public who continue to support the industry and use our facilities to make lasting, magical memories with their friends and families,” he says.
Shaun believes that the uncertainty around the third wave saw many guests leave their booking to the last minute and says that as COVID cases decreased, the number of bookings increased, “It was a simple equation of cause and effect, and was something that we anticipated from the onset.”
Despite the dwindling number of COVID cases and deaths, Shaun says that First Group are more committed than ever to keeping their guests safe this Easter. “In May last year, First Group transformed every resort and hotel into a COVID-safe zone so that guests could enjoy an even cleaner, safer, germ-free holiday. We introduced ground-breaking technology and protocols that were internationally tried and tested, some of which came at a hefty cost, but for us, it was a non-negotiable investment into the continued health and safety of our guests and our employees.”
From access control, no-contact thermometers, and disinfection spray tunnels, to hand sanitation stations and ultraviolet light technology (for the sanitisation of rooms and individuals), Shaun says that guests can rest assured that their time away this upcoming weekend is guaranteed to be safe, blessed one.
