Hospitality industry urged to capitalise on new domestic travel growth opportunities

siteadmin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:40:56 +0000

September marks Tourism month in South Africa and it provides an opportunity to recognise the increasingly important role domestic tourism is playing in driving growth for hospitality and tourism SMEs. According to Kevan Govender, regional investment manager at Business Partners Limited, hospitality businesses that understand and respond to the evolving preferences of locals are well-positioned to benefit from the growing opportunities in the sector. This includes guesthouses, boutique hotels, tour operators, restaurants, activity providers, and other tourism-focused SMEs. "The profile of the domestic traveller has evolved considerably over the past few years. South Africans are increasingly looking for authentic, experience-led travel that offers something distinctive, whether that's wellness retreats, culinary experiences, adventure tourism, cultural immersion, or family-focused getaways," said Govender. He further explained that this trend presents significant opportunities for smaller hospitality businesses, particularly SMEs, whose agility and deep local connections enable them to curate personalised experiences that resonate with modern travellers while showcasing the unique character of their culture, communities and destinations. Booking across the calendar At the same time, domestic travel patterns are evolving. Rather than taking a single annual holiday, travellers are increasingly opting for shorter, more frequent trips throughout the year. Long weekends, sporting events, music festivals, conferences, school holidays, and remote-working flexibility are helping to spread tourism demand across seasons and regions. "It is encouraging to see the growing demand for year-round travel experiences. Many businesses that previously relied heavily on seasonal tourism are now finding opportunities to attract visitors throughout the year by tailoring their offerings to specific interests, events, and niche markets," said Govender. This trend aligns with broader industry observations that hospitality operators are increasingly focusing on collaboration, regional partnerships, and bundled experiences to create greater value for travellers and encourage longer stays. Govender notes this may present an opportunity for new collaborations. The importance of digital visibility As travellers frequently research, compare, and book online, hospitality SMEs need to ensure they can be easily discovered. Businesses that invest in their digital presence, actively manage customer reviews, and market their unique offerings online are more likely to capture the attention of domestic travellers planning their next trip. Industry guidance for hospitality operators continues to highlight digital visibility as a key driver of competitiveness and customer acquisition in an increasingly online travel market. "Today's travellers are looking for value, but value does not always mean the lowest price. It means memorable experiences, excellent service, convenience, authenticity, and a sense that their trip was worthwhile. SMEs that focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences can build strong customer loyalty and generate repeat businesses. "Domestic tourism remains one of the most accessible and sustainable growth opportunities for hospitality SMEs. Businesses that are attuned to evolving consumer preferences, leverage technology effectively, build strategic partnerships, and focus on delivering distinctive experiences will be best positioned to capture growth and build long-term resilience within South Africa's dynamic tourism market."

Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in Zimbabwe

siteadmin — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:43:04 +0000

South African Property Developer, Brett Abrahamse is bringing Hilton into Zimbabwe for the first time. The hotel will open in 2029 with Terrace Africa. The 140-room Hilton Garden Inn will be the first Hilton-branded property ever to operate in the country. South Africa has ten. In a statement, it explained that planned hotel will anchor the Highlands Precinct, a mixed-use development Terrace Africa is building that combines offices, retail, dining, residences, hotels and conferencing space. The site sits 20 to 25 kilometres from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in an established residential and diplomatic district, and the hotel will carry an all-day restaurant with a terrace, a lobby café and bar, a gym, a pool with terrace and meeting rooms. Carlos Khneisser, Hilton's Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa, said Zimbabwe recorded more than 1.7 million international arrivals in 2025 and that Harare's role as a commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway supports demand from business and leisure travellers. It is the first significant hotel development in Harare in years, in a capital short of quality rooms. Hilton runs more than 70 hotels across Africa with over 100 in its pipeline, more than half of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Who is Brett Abrahamse? Brett Abrahamse is South African, and he founded Terrace Africa in 2011 at 28. He had studied for a B.Comm Honours in financial analysis at Stellenbosch, then completed the property development programme at the University of Cape Town's business school. Property was already familiar. His father and uncle were both quantity surveyors, and he grew up on building sites. His first job was at Liberty Properties and STANLIB, among the largest property owners in South Africa, where he ran business development for the property portfolio for six years. He was part of the team that listed Letlole La Rona on the Botswana Stock Exchange, and won new business in Zambia, Mauritius, Botswana, Mozambique and Swaziland before he turned 30. He left in 2011 and started two companies at once, Terrace Africa and API Events. Terrace Africa opened Village Walk in Harare in 2017 and the numbers came back better than anything else it owned. The first projects were funded locally. That changed in 2020, when the company decided Zimbabwe would be central to the business and obtained a licence from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency allowing it to bring capital in from offshoreTerrace Africa listed the Tigere Property Fund on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in November 2022, the country's first exchange-traded real estate investment trust. The offer put 255.3 million units on sale at 28 dollars each out of 719,323,000 available. Abrahamse was 38, co-founded the fund, and remains the common director between it and Terrace Africa, which acts as asset manager. “Partnering with Hilton to introduce its first hotel in Zimbabwe is a defining milestone for the precinct,” Abrahamse said.

Hospitality - Keep Informed Africa

Hospitality industry urged to capitalise on new domestic travel growth opportunities

Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in Zimbabwe