Francois Meyer, general manager of Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate, says: “Virtual and hybrid meetings are an essential offering in the ‘new normal’ hospitality industry. The growing demand for virtual meetings or a combination of live and virtual (hybrid meetings) will continue to rise over time as meeting planners and their attendees adjust to a new work environment and culture. The appeal lies in the ability to expand an event’s reach to include speakers and attendees whose travel might be restricted due to the pandemic.”
More meeting and event professionals have been looking to plan hybrid virtual/in-person meetings and events as the meeting industry adapts to new ways of connecting during the global pandemic. However, meeting and event professionals often require additional information about technology, health protocols, and logistics available to them.
“Hybrid meetings provide a combination of live and virtual components that creates an immersive and engaging experience which integrates both virtual participation and in-person experiences through audio-visual technologies, making hybrid meetings an essential way to host and attend events,” says Meyer.
“We understand that virtual and hybrid meetings are an essential offering and will be at the forefront of our guests’ minds as they consider traveling and hosting their events at the hotel. With the launch of our new state of the art conference facilities, we want guests to see and understand that we are at the forefront of technology and that we are able to cater for all of their event and meeting requirements, adds Meyer.
Revitalised conference and event facilities complete the extensive refurbishment project and positions the property perfectly as a facility with up-to-date technology and modern finishes allowing business and event guests the perfect leisure and corporate location. The Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate’s conference facilities consist of four event rooms and its largest capacity space allows 255 guests. The property combines all the comforts of an upmarket hotel experience with authentic Kruger Park safaris.
“Our knowledge and expertise in helping meet the needs from the simple to the complex will be crucial in ensuring that meeting planners and attendees connect with confidence,” adds Meyer.
Earn triple Marriott Bonvoy™ points for eligible meetings, events and groups. But wait, there is more. Receive 5% off master-billed group rooms, one complimentary in every 10 paid delegates/rooms for groups between 10-100 people and a signing bonus of 5,000 points at participating hotels. For more information on this offer or participating hotels, visit: https://www.emea.marriott.com/en/offers/triple-treats
Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the leading hospitality brand in Africa and it is one of the most widely recognised brands on the continent with over 80 hotels throughout South Africa and eight other African countries, including Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Uganda amongst others. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is ideal for both business and leisure travellers by offering properties in primary and secondary business centres and desirable leisure destinations. Each hotel offers modern facilities, proactive and friendly service and consistent amenities such as full-service restaurants, meeting spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi and well-appointed rooms, ensuring global standards for a high quality, relaxed and successful stay. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the winner of nine Coolest Hotel Brand awards in the Sunday Times Generation Next surveys, the winner of the Ask Africa South African Customer Service Award 2013 and Icon Brand 2015, and the winner of the Hotels category in the Ask Afrika 2015/2016 Youth Brands Survey. The hotel group was bought by Marriott International in April 2014 and forms part of Marriott’s global brand portfolio made up of 31 leading brands that operate more than 7,000 properties in 131 countries and territories. For more information, visit proteahotels.com. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel programme replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards® and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programme offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the programme, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,200 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 134 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company now offers one travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy™, replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG). For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
