"All credit to the passionate and committed management and staff of three Mother City hotels that have made it to the Condé Nast Traveler USA Readers' Choice Awards 2009. We remain committed to staying up there with the world's best Hospitality offerings," says FEDHASA Cape Chairperson Phillip Couvaras.

In ranking order, the following three members from the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa's Cape (FEDHASA Cape) membership made it to this prestigious list:

• Grande Roche, situated at Paarl (position 29 / 100)
• Table Bay Hotel, situated at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront (position 62 / 100)
• Cape Grace Hotel, situated at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront (position 97 / 100)

In order to illustrate the magnitude of this prestigious accolade, a mere seven South African properties made the Top 100, of which three are exclusive game parks and three are small luxury boutique hotels.

Couvaras notes that the Top 100 are identifiable as having scored upwards of an "almost perfect" 92.6 percent based on the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences.

"These benchmark awards in no small measure continue to place Cape Town on the international traveller's radar, whether for business trips or time out with family and friends," Couvaras continues.


"When one considers that 25 008 readers voted on over 10 000 properties and destinations, it is indeed a considerable accomplishment to make it to the Top 100," says Couvaras. "All the more so given the global economic melt-down which we cannot deny impacted on the Hospitality worldwide."

"I have no doubt that aside from considerable team effort within these hotels," Couvaras adds, "the Cape Grace Hotel, Grande Roche Hotel, and Table Bay Hotel's FEDHASA Cape membership greatly assisted them to set the benchmark regarding international best practice."

"It is true of any industry and notably of the Hospitality sector - admittedly oftentimes a fickle marketplace where one continually competes with the world's best destinations and products - that those members who maximise their industry body membership through strategically ‘working their membership' stand to derive immense benefit," he continues.

"To name but a few FEDHASA Cape benefits that aid our members to up their game and win awards," Couvaras explains, "we have a Helpline, not to mention assistance with cost-minimising strategies, considerable group negotiated membership discounts, marketing and networking facilitation, human resources and legal advice, workshops and forums, product, service provider discounts and star grading assistance. We find for old and new entrants to the industry alike that our service plays a pivotal role in keeping our members abreast of all the latest industry developments. New entrants to the industry additionally benefit from FEDHASA Youth networking sessions."

Since its establishment in 1949, FEDHASA has become known as the lobbying body and watchdog for the Southern African hospitality industry locally, nationally and in all tiers of governments on tourism, legislation, trading conditions, taxation, education and related industry issues. The association services 5 segments, i.e. hotels, small accommodation, restaurants and catering, suppliers of products and services to the industry and now also a Youth segment.

For any further enquiries, please visit www.fedhasacape.co.za / www.fedhasa.co.za, e-mail fedhasacape@fedhasa.co.za, or call FEDHASA Cape on (021) 552 9870.