The stylish Victoria Falls Safari Club is open setting
a new benchmark in luxury accommodation in Victoria Falls, a top choice tourist
destination.
The lavish Club will blend the enchanting power of
nature with modern comforts to create an exclusive atmosphere that is
distinctly African. Construction of this
superb new addition to the Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) portfolio started in
November 2011 and was completed two weeks ahead of schedule.
AAT Chairman Dave Glynn said, ‘We are absolutely
thrilled with the way the project progressed. We are now looking forward to welcoming
our first guests.’
The Safari Club team, led by Club Manager Claire
Wright, is eager to receive the first guests and has been undergoing extensive
training in preparation for the opening.
Remarked Ross Kennedy, AAT Chief Executive, ‘Hospitality
projects such as these are notorious worldwide for running well over time and
budget and thus tour operators and agents are always skeptical. For this
project we have good news for them – a green light to book because we are
ready!’
Kennedy added that interest in the Safari Club in the
build-up to opening has been extremely encouraging with many international tour
operators already featuring it in their 2013 brochures, with a number of USA,
Australian and European Union operators requesting special launch packages to promote
in their markets.
Through the use of local materials such as thatch, gum
poles, stone and sand, the $2,7 million development has been in line with AAT’s
policy to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint. During the construction
of the new Club wing several trees were trans-located into a nursery and are
now being replanted. In addition, contractors were strictly controlled to
prevent them from trampling haphazardly over the fragile and precious
environment.
Contractor Dale Kiggen commented that it had been an
honour to work on the Safari Club project and he was confident that the Safari
Club would soon become the number one address in Victoria Falls.
Located adjacent to the award-winning Victoria FallsSafari Lodge, the flagship property of AAT, the Safari Club will boast rooms
that are 50% larger than those at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, giving a sense
of abundant space. The exclusive club ethos will be reflected in such features
as butler service, private check-in and check-out and a multi-functional area
that includes a bar, lounge and terrace.
Victoria Falls is gearing up for the United Nations
World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in late August 2013 that is
expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from around the world.
