ANEW HOTELS & RESORTS APPOINTS SEASONED MANAGING DIRECTOR TO RENEW GUESTS’ ENJOYMENT
After serving three years as Financial Director of the famous Anew Hotels &Resorts, Evan Badenhorst who is known for his insatiable drive for growth has been promoted to the role of Managing Director effective from November 1. Timeless News correspondent Montsho Matlala chats to him about his expectations in the much awaited festive season and his plans for the fast growing Anew Hotels & Resorts, guests, employees, communities and environment going forward.
Montsho Matlala (MM): What are your expectations for this festive season?
Evan Badenhorst EB): We anticipate strong and healthy business volumes this festive season, driven by increased domestic travellers and advanced bookings – especially at our typical leisure properties located in the North West, Mpumalanga, KZN and Western Cape provinces. Our focus is on creating and reworking a quality product – from the water to the food to our bedding.
We are currently reworking all our menus to create aesthetically pleasing meals and eliminating plastic use as much as possible. While there’s more work ahead, particularly in our latest properties, we’re excited about the year’s prospects.
MM: What is the vision of the group?
EB: Our vision revolves around creating a stable growth environment while inspiring both staff and guests to value the core hospitality experience—simple, high-quality food, and rooms coupled with honest service. Continuous improvement is crucial, emphasising attention to detail and instilling care in every aspect. We aim to match the right energy with the right responsibility, continuously striving for improvement in everything that we do.
Personally, I want to instil in every staff member to find joy in the process of their daily duties/tasks and responsibilities.
MM: Please tell us about Anew Hotels &Resorts’ corporate social responsibility (CSR).
EB: ANEW places a strong emphasis on uplifting and training our staff while being mindful of the communities we serve and making an immediate impact there. We prioritise staff training and aim to positively impact the communities in which we operate, hiring locally and focusing on impactful community projects. We love working with local businesses that do good, and we have some exciting projects we are currently busy with.
MM: And your current headcount and strategies to tackle unemployment in South Africa?
EB: We currently employ nearly 1,000 individuals. Our strategy involves sourcing and training local talent, benefiting not only our staff but also the local ecosystem. Additionally, we actively seek suppliers with strong ethical values and support those within our immediate communities who are doing good work.
MM: Can you share your expansion plans?
EB: Expansion into other provinces is always on our radar, and we continually strive to improve and provide value. Our focus remains on genuine and authentic experiences, delivering high-quality service and food. We emphasise on continuously training our staff, supporting local initiatives, and taking pride in our South African roots. Please visit https://anewhotels.com/ for more
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