Sun International is in talks with airlines to reinstate the direct flights between Cape Town and Pilanesberg International Airport following the demise of SA Express, which offered this service.
So said COO Hospitality of Sun International (SI), Graham Wood. He said this would increase domestic and international traveller numbers to the region, which counts the Big-Five Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City as its top tourist attractions.
Speaking to Tourism Update on the side lines of the official launch of the 58-room Lefika Villas last week, Wood said about 15% to 20% of the Sun City resort’s domestic travellers were from the Mother City.
“It’s only a two-hour flight from Cape Town and will serve both the domestic tourists who wish to visit the Pilanesberg and Sun City, as well as many international travellers who fly directly into Cape Town,” he said.
Wood did not elaborate on which airlines the group was in talks with, but noted it would be beneficial if the carrier served regional routes as well.
Mutimillion-rand investment
The SI group is investing R850 million (€60.7m) into the resort, which includes two new accommodation developments as part of the Sun Vacation Club – a timeshare model with 22 000 members – as well as a R208 million (€12.2m) upgrade of the five-star Palace of the Lost City hotel.
Sun International CEO, Anthony Leeming, said: “Sun City remains perennially popular and post-COVID we have seen an increase in demand from leisure, conference and sporting guests. We have invested significantly in the property and the resort is in great condition.
“Our local and international visitors enjoy the varied hotel experiences at The Palace of The Lost City, The Cascades, The Sun City Hotel and The Cabanas. We are also seeing great demand for self-catering units at the Sun Vacation Club.”
Leisure activities include the Lost City and the Gary Player 18-hole golf courses – home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge – swimming pools at every hotel, The Royal Baths, the Valley of Waves, the Waterworld Lake, the Maze of the Lost City, a zip slide, Segway tours, the Segaetsho Cultural Village and various tennis courts.
The property also offers modern, fully equipped conferencing, banqueting and eventing facilities.
In addition to Sun International’s own Most Valued Guests (MVG) loyalty programme, one of the oldest in the country, Sun City is also part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) loyalty programme – the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.
