South African Hotel Group Launches ‘Experiential’ Vacation Ownership Amidst Concern Over World Cup Accommodation
July 22, 2009 by Perspective Magazine | Timeshare & Fractional ReviewsThe South African Hotel Group the Zorgvliet (pronounced Zor-fleet) has announced a number of unique vacation ownership options featuring special experiences across its five resorts and lodges ahead of the country’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA Football World Cup in 2010. Even at this early stage it is obvious that there will not be enough accommodation available in South Africa over the World Cup period to accommodate the expected half million football fans and media that will flock to the country. Organisers are already reserving additional accommodation in neighboring African countries and considering using cruise liners off the South African shoreline.
The Zorgvliet Group, which has authentic South African lodges and hotels in locations close to many of the World Cup stadia, is launching vacation ownership through its newly formed Private Residence Club (ZPRC) to offer accommodation during the event that will also be of benefit beyond the World Cup.
Vacation ownership is available at:
- Ka’Ingo Private Game Reserve & Spa in the Limpopo district where the big 5 game can be viewed and only 60 minutes drive from the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex in Polokwane,
-The Riviera On Vaal Hotel which is a five star country and golf club south west of Johannesburg and only 30 minutes drive from the newly constructed Soccer City Stadium and 35 Minutes from Ellis Park in central Johannesburg;
- Zorgvliet Vineyard Estate and Alluvia Specialist Winery near Stellenbosch which is 40 minutes drive from the new Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
- The King George Hotel in George on the Garden Route which is a short flight or 4 hour drive to the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
FIFA estimates that 55,000 hotel rooms will be required to accommodate the visitors, some 15,000 more than are currently available. Last year it was forced to accredit guest houses, private lodges and backpacker hostels to help make up the numbers. FIFA’s accommodation agency has reserved thousands of rooms in neighbouring countries, including 4,000 on Mauritius, a holiday island that takes four-and-a-half hours to reach by air.
The Zorgvliet Group specialises in educational, authentic and sometimes life-changing experiences at each of its locations which will be of particular interest to those wanting to extend their trip, or for partners of football fans left to their own devices. For example guests can get involved in critically important conservation projects at Ka’Ingo private reserve such as leopard and cheetah re-releases, ‘clean’ buffalo breeding, white rhino and animal welfare programmes. Vacation owners can also contribute by adopting animals such as the elephant, lion, buffalo bull or cheetah and get regular updates about their progress.
At the Zorgvliet Vineyard Lodge & Spa and Alluvia Specialist Winery, an award winning wine estate outside Stellenbosch, vacation owners can participate in the actual wine making process alongside the viticulturist and wine maker. Also included as part of the vacation ownership is barrel sampling, complimentary wine tasting with the winemaker, and lessons in food and wine pairing plus an allocation of 24 bottles of wine per year with a personalised label.
Vacation ownership can be purchased for a period of 12 years for as little as R66,000 (approx £5500) for 1 week usage allocation for 12 years, or in perpetuity for as little as R120,000 (approx £10000). The option makes a lot of sense especially as the cost of accommodation at Zorgvliet’s five star hotels is typically £1100 to £1300 per week and rates over the World Cup period are expected to soar with the anticipated lack of hotel accommodation. The vacation weeks are floating and insightful buyers can ensure allocation over the Football World Cup period for a marginal premium.
Mac van der Merwe, CEO of the Zorgvliet Group says: “We have found that people are beginning to demand more ‘experiential’ type holidays. Rather than just visiting a place they are keen to learn something new or immerse themselves in the culture or environment. With participation in the conservation projects at Ka’Ingo they also will be making a contribution to a very worthwhile cause whilst learning about how they can make a difference to the natural environment around them.”
Vacations bought in the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club can be exchanged at more than 2000 global resorts worldwide through the company’s affiliation to Interval International, a global holiday exchange programme. So for sports fans they can exchange their week in following years in other countries hosting a big sporting event.
Information sessions and presentations about vacation ownership will be taking place at venues in the UK and Ireland in August through to October 2009. For more information call 0800 0469196
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