Clefs d’Or comes to Johannesburg

As the first members of the Clefs d’Or on the African continent, staff members from four- and five-star hotels in Johannesburg will be gathering for the second annual Concierge Conference at Monte C

As the first members of the Clefs d’Or on the African continent, staff members from four- and five-star hotels in Johannesburg will be gathering for the second annual Concierge Conference at Monte Casino on September 27.

One hundred delegates are expected to attend this year’s event, which significantly, takes place during Tourism Month. At this year’s event, 5 concierges will be receiving their Gold Keys of acceptance into the Les Clefs d’Or, a familiar symbol to mature travelers as a mark of superior service. Charles Ferrer, President – Les Clefs d’Or in the United Arab Emirates, will also address the audience.

“The Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) recognizes the crucial role that concierges play in delivering memorable experiences for visitors to our city, hence JTC’s involvement with this conference and exhibition,” said Lindiwe Kwele, JTC CEO, “Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Johannesburg hotels will be the first members of the Clefs d’Or in the African continent. By growing the Joburg-based membership, the city will be in a position to host future Les Clefs d’Or Congresses in the City of Gold, which speaks to our strategy to grow the international MICE market.”

The Concierge Forum is a networking platform targeting concierge professionals at Johannesburg’s four- and five-star hotels. The main objective of the forum is information-sharing and product knowledge to help serve guests better, while enforcing the role they play in the industry.

“Through the auspices of our Visitor Services Bureau, JTC’s involvement in this program is based on the need to target platforms where we can educate frontline staff about the destination as they are that vital link, representing not only the hotels they work for but also destination Joburg to the international tourists who are accommodated at their hotels,” said Kwele, “Concierge personnel are, therefore, by default tourism ambassadors, and JTC wholewheartedly supports, endorses, and applauds the work they do in making Johannesburg a World-class African City.”

Conference delegates for this year’s gathering include staff members from 26 Johannesburg hotels, as well as exhibition staff representing some 22 different facilities in the greater Johannesburg area. Super prizes valued in excess of R200,000 include a Rovos Rail trip for 2 and a fabulous weekend break in Sabi Sabi.

Johannesburg Tourism Company’s Support and Endorsement of South Africa’s First Concierge Forum

JTC contributed to the hosting of the first Concierge Conference held at the Palazzo Hotel at Montecasino in September 2010. In the lead-up to the 2010 conference, JTC hosted the concierges on an educational networking gathering, presenting the various facets Johannesburg as a tourist destination, including the experiences, nodes, and diverse routes – as well as some of the programs JTC has developed to enhance visitor services.

Johannesburg Tourism is a member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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