Johannesburg, 17 November 2022 – Mountain View International Hotel by BON Hotels, situated in Mbabane, has reassured tour groups and guests travelling to eSwatini, following media reports last week of unrest and violence.
Hotel management says a small, unauthorised but manageable strike has unfortunately been sensationalised by print and social media.
On 10 November, around 100 minibus taxi and bus drivers protested in the streets of Manzini over the arrest of their colleagues. According to the national news publication, the Eswatini Observer, the five were arrested for allegedly assaulting a driver, whom they accused of transporting passengers without a permit.
“The protest was confined to a small area in Manzini around the bus rank, but the rest of the city was peaceful and continued with its normal business activity,” explains Sam Nabaala, the general manager of Mountain View International by BON Hotels.
He says the safety of guests is top priority and confirms that as a precaution, hotel management has been liaising closely with the police to ensure the safety of tour groups and guests arriving or departing, and the upholding of safe routes.
“Our good relations with the security forces allow us to make such arrangements and avoid any problematic areas and times of day. Where we think we may not be able to avoid a situation, we will inform tour groups and guests in advance.”
CEO of BON Hotels, Guy Stehlik stresses that guests are in good hands. “Their safety and security are paramount and knowing our GMs as we do, we trust them to protect our guests and to flag any issues.”
eSwatini Government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo has been quoted as saying: “Law enforcement agencies will continue to apply the law in order to uphold the rights of roads users and public transport users”. The incident is also currently being investigated.
Nabaala says it is business as usual in the city and at the hotel. “But we urge tour operators and guests to call us directly to discuss any concerns they may have, so that we can make sure they’re provided with the correct facts about the situation in eSwatini.”
ENDS
Currently, the BON Hotels portfolio includes hotels across South Africa, Eswatini, Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia.
About BON Hotels
Founded in 2013 by hotelier and businessman, Guy Stehlik and his management team with a collective 127 years in hospitality, BON Hotels is a South African based hotel company that manages, markets, administrates and owns hotels, lodges and resorts throughout Southern Africa, as well as West and East Africa –a fast-growing, exciting and leading African hotel group.
BON Hotels has been providing hotels, resorts and lodges with their renowned management, marketing and administration systems, their acclaimed blueprints and business plans to ensure their full potential in South Africa, DRC, Namibia, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia. While hotel, lodge or resort owners may indeed have a vision for their properties, the BON Group has the foresight and experience in operating under tricky African conditions, whilst managing expectations for the owner in terms of budgets, marketing and other planning that goes into the running of a hospitality business.
Driven by the ethos of “Good people. Good thinking. Good feeling”, BON Hotels believes in creating loyalty among their guests, suppliers, hotel owners and stakeholders, by bringing a relevant and owner-focused approach to every aspect of hotel administration, management and marketing.
Media Contact:
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Claire Lathe
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