Ndavi Nokeri, above, the reigning Miss South Africa, was at the gala dinner of the Global Hotel Alliance GHA at Delaire Graff Estate, in South Africa’s wine country, Wednesday 12th April (she is shown with Nikki Beach boss Alex Schneider, the head of GHA, Chris Hartley, and rugby star Schalk Brits).
The annual CEOs’ meeting of GHA was based at TABLE BAY HOTEL, Cape Town, flagship of Sun International, one of GHA’s member brands. The gala was held the first night, and among the awards were best green group (from GHA’s new 194-property Green Collection), JA Hotels; Most popular property on the GHA app, based on revenue and room nights, London Pan Pacific; Best enrolment to GHA Discovery, Doyle Collection; Best new brand, NH; Best cross-brand contribution, Capella; Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the year, Patina Maldives; Hotel of the Year, Nikki Beach Dubai; and Best brand, Kempinski.
Before and after presentations, music came from Just6, an amazing Afro-Vocal sextet who in fact had no instruments but their vocal chords.
Dinner the second night was preceded by a cable car trip up Table Mountain (with, of course, a sparkling tasting and tapas at the top). The meal itself was at Bilboa in Camps Bay. The final lunch was at Station Hotel’s rooftop The Nines, at Sea Point.
But it would be 100% wrong to assume this gathering was purely socia. It was in fact 100% everything, play – and work. Chris Hartley and his highly professional team had prepared a tightly packed business programme – behind ckosed doors. Suffice to say everyone to whom Girlahead spoke felt the whole event was more than worthwhile, and we can all expect even closer collaboration among GHA members.