Happy New Year
I would hereby like to thank you all for your
support in 2006. It was a
brilliant year and feedback has been better than ever before.
Bookings for 2007 are coming in fast and furiously and our
reservations team
is striving for a fast and efficient turnaround of your enquiries
and bookings.
Work is also taking place in the rest of the lodge to enhance the
quality of the
service and product we offer. Training programmes are in place for
all
departments starting with a first aid and survival course for all
members of staff,
Craig is coming back to work in our kitchen training our chefs and
various
other plans are in the pipeline.
Refurbishment is ongoing. We recently redid all the paths around
Tongabezi
and the cottages are in the process of being upgraded.
I will of course inform you of regular updates with the monthly
Tonga Tales.
I look forward to working with you this year and as always if you
have any
questions or need any information please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Great News
I have pleasure in announcing that following our announcement in the
Conde Nast Traveller top 100 hotels last year, we were also featured
in the
Conde Nast Traveller’s 2007 Gold List, it’s definitive guide to the
best
hotels the world has to offer! Click on the below image to
view Tongabezi's review -
Sindabezi
Island
By Peddy
Sindabezi had a great 2006 ending on a busy note over Christmas and
New Year’s with lots of guest of which many were repeat guests.
The year ended with elephants visiting the Island twice a week,
especially
searching for fruits like oranges. The elephants seem to know
the Sindabezi
kitchen very well or should I say rather "too well."
Another exciting event was the recruiting of a new river guide,
Victor. Not only is
he a great guide and fisherman but also a Snake and Crocodile
"catcher"
famously known by the staff as the "African Crocodile Dundee".
The recent refurb that was done included new mosi nets, soft
furnishings such as
seat and cushion covers, as well as revarnishing all the decks.
Our objective for 2007 is to consistently meet the needs of our
guests, to pursue excellence in the provision of a 5 star service
and to lead the market through
stability and a steady growth of profitability.
Training
This February Tongabezi is proud to host Benjamin Samuels. He is an
American Red Cross Life Guard Instructor as well as a Safety
Kayaker.
Ben has come to Tongabezi for three weeks to further develop our
safety
policies and procedures and also provide staff training.
This training will include CPR, First Aid, and Life Guarding. He
will be working
with a wide variety of staff teaching and practicing these skills.
Valets, waiters,
guides and lifeguards- they are all learning that they are part of
the safety team. Working together they are making sure we provide
the highest quality
experience in the safest way possible.
Next month we have the pleasure of welcoming Craig Higgins back
to the Tongabezi kitchens.
Livingstone
Island & the local community
Swimming has now stopped on Livingstone Island due to the high
waters.
The Island is due to close around the middle of April but we will
confirm exact
dates nearer the time when we can assess the water levels more
accurately.
As part of Tongabezi and Livingstone Island’s contribution to the
community & environment, we identified the Falls border area as a
place needing urgent
attention. Management approached authorities concerned for
permission to
recruit staff & arrange the clean up for a 2 year contract period.
We have recruited 3 cleaners / gardeners who maintain the area daily
under supervision of the Livingstone Island manager. We will soon
also plant
flowers /shrubs and improve the landscaping.
The next stage involves improving toilets facilities for visitors
passing through the border buildings and mounting signs encouraging
people to respect the
environment & keep the area clean and tidy.
Snippets
from Chef Zui
In December the GM came up with the idea of having a games
competition
among the staff to revive everyone, taking them away from their day
to day
duties. We had a drafts competition and I am pleased to say the
first winner
was Cosmas Chanda, one of my cooks.
The idea behind arranging these competitions is to enhance team
building
amongst all staff in different departments bringing them together
more as a group
but also so we can all learn more about each other and what areas we
are good at.
Next month will be NSOLO, a local game which we will teach you when
you
come to stay at Tongabezi. I personally feel these games are a great
idea, they encourage staff to come together as a team and it
motivates staff.
Next month I will give you some secret tips from Tongabezi kitchen…
That's it from Chef Zui
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CONFERENCES
& MARKETING TRIPS
I will be in the US and Europe in March and April time and at Indaba
with
Ben in May. If you would like me to come and see you,
please contact me
honour@tongabezi.com
SKYPE
SKYPE username is “Tongabezi”.
HIGH RES IMAGES
High Res images can be downloaded from our website by going to the
following link -
http://www.tongabezi.com/hires/hires.html
CHECKING ON-LINE AVAILABILITY
www.tongabezi.resrequest.com
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