TRP News 01/07/2024

VALUE OF THE MONTH OF JULY

To recognise, reward and uplift.

In line with our value of the month - the reservations team spent some time getting together for training and site inspections in Cape Town!

A Trip Down Memory Lane - Waterside Turns 2!

As we celebrate two years since the opening of Waterside, we reflect on our journey and the moments that have shaped our success.

Our first Christmas was memorable, and Women's Day saw our ladies enjoying some fresh air outside and our spa team looking fabulous in green, as always. Setting up the bar was challenging, but our team’s efforts have streamlined operations, making it a signature feature. From dancing for guests to team game drives, these moments have strengthened our team spirit over the past 2 years.

Here are some memories of the pre-opening. Everyone got involved and helped while the construction team was busy completing the pathways and planting the grass.

The past 2 years have not been without their challenges, and we had many visitors make their way through the lodge, including monkeys enjoying our fruit bowls. Intense preparations ensured everything was perfect for our guests before opening the lodge.

We are grateful for our team’s dedication over the past two years. Here’s to many more years of growth and success! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

HEAD OFFICE

Human Resources

We would like to wish Phil Biden (Co-Chairman) a very happy birthday! Phil’s birthday is on the 5th of July, and he is currently traveling. We hope he enjoys his special day!

Exciting news! We are launching our new P&V cards, featuring a sleek gold design and the addition of our Vision. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get your hands on one of the new P&V cards in the coming weeks.

We are excited to have Janine van Rooyen (Personal Assistant) back from her three-month maternity leave. Welcome back, Janine! Additionally, Emma Gelb has rejoined us in the Cyprus office and will be working closely with Weeva on sustainability reports. She will also support the Cyprus office while Lauren is on maternity leave. Welcome back, Emma!

Our second quarter engagement survey will be launched soon. This time, we’re shortening the survey period to encourage timely participation. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to your responses.

Last week, we held a training session on the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and the benefits it offers. HODs are encouraged to share this with their teams to ensure everyone is aware of the benefits available to them and their households. Contact HR for access to the recording.

Congratulations to everyone who completed the 2023-2024 intake of Victor's Managerial Leadership Intervention. Your hard work has paid off! Certificates will be awarded during Victor's visit in October and November.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming training sessions designed to enhance your skills and knowledge. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities for professional growth and development. To join, please talk to your HOD and ask HR for the link.

Marketing

Adrian Kaplan (Executive Marketing Manager) extended a heartfelt thanks to everyone at The Royal Portfolio for the warm welcome he received when joining the company. He highlighted the exceptional culture and kindness that he has experienced, thank you to everyone!

The marketing team has been hard at work over the past month, and we are excited to share the following content highlights:

Autumn at La Residence - We’ve created a beautiful story about autumn at La Residence, highlighting the unique charm of this season. The property’s cozy fireplaces and stunning autumnal colours, making it a year-round destination.

Royal Malewane Apprentice Ranger Program - Our comprehensive two-year training initiative for aspiring guides and trackers in the safari industry is unique. We’re committed to sharing these inspiring stories as the apprentices progress.

Michael Jacobs, The Silo’s Art Concierge - Michael Jacobs, our art concierge, has been making waves with his deep understanding of African contemporary art. A recent video featuring him has garnered massive engagement on social media, showcasing his articulate insights and the rich art scene in Cape Town.

We have also been working on the following marketing initiatives:

Bastille Day Mailer - Our Bastille Day mailer has been a success, resulting in two confirmed bookings and several inquiries. We offered French berets, picnic hampers, and festival tickets as value adds for bookings over the Bastille weekend.

Elevating Our Private Residences - We’ve created a comprehensive cheat sheet comparing our private residences in Hermanus, aiding the sales process and showcasing the unique amenities each property offers.

Gift Catalog for Agents - We’ve developed a gift catalog for The Silo Hotel, with similar projects underway for La Residence. This catalog offers a range of branded items and experiences, available through the Concierge and our travel partner site.

New Activity Documents for The Silo Hotel - Our new multi-page activity documents feature personal recommendations from the Concierge team and senior management, offering guests detailed insights into tours and day trips around Cape Town.

We are delighted to share the following social media insights with you all:

Instagram Success - We’ve seen significant engagement on our Royal Malewane account, with posts like the lion dynamics and wild dog sightings reaching millions of views. Our engagement metrics are up by 66%.

Reviving The Royal Portfolio Account - After a period of dormancy, we’re seeing massive growth in engagement and impressions on The Royal Portfolio’s Instagram account, thanks to a renewed content strategy.

Birkenhead House - With an 80% increase in engagement, our visual storytelling around whale season is resonating well with our audience.

LinkedIn Growth - We’re leveraging LinkedIn for deeper storytelling and conservation stories. This platform allows us to share long-form articles and detailed insights, resulting in increased engagement and impressions.

Sales

Anton Noll (Sales Manager - UK & Europe) is currently at the "Experience Africa" trade show in London, meeting with 42 agents over 3 days. He has also recently visited Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, and London, focusing on key agents. His feedback indicates that South Africa remains a top African destination, though there's a slower buying pattern due to the Euro Cup.

Werner Krause (Sales Manager - USA) has just returned from a two-week trip in Florida. The General feedback from meetings suggests people are still booking and traveling frequently. He visited various travel partners, had significant meetings, including online presentations and in-person office meetings. He traveled extensively across Florida, visiting places like Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Miami, Naples, Coral Beach, St. Petersburg and Tampa.

Reservations

The entire Reservations team visited Cape Town last month, including Bernie Esterhuizen (Travel Planner) from Hoedspruit, Sue Pinto (Travel Planner) and Louise Du Valle (Reservation Team Leader) who joined for dinner. The main purpose was for the Travel Desk team to inspect potential new properties to add to our offerings. Feedback from these visits indicated that while some properties, such as Lekkerwater, offered great nature experiences, they may not align perfectly with our standard.

We would also like to express our gratitude to the team for facilitating a memorable experience for the Zef family at Royal Malewane, where they met their baseball hero, Bernie Williams.

We have introduced a WhatsApp line for real-time communication with guests, which has proven very effective.

Events

Over the past few months, we hosted various special events for some of our guests and we recently received some of the professional photos of an elopement at Birkenhead House and La Residence and they are just too beautiful to not share!

We also had a proposal at La Residence and, of course, our lovely staff at La Residence were having fun whilst helping with preparations.

We also hosted a birthday celebration in the Terrace Room where we were joined by some incredibly influential guests such as Wayne Ackerman and the owners of some of the wine farms in the area.

One of the guests also heard us reciting our Purpose and Values and once we had finished, she said it was the most incredible thing she's experienced at a property, and she thanked the team profusely.

PROPERTIES UPDATE

Birkenhead House

We're thrilled to share that one of our guests provided exceptional feedback. The guests were absolutely enchanted by their experience. It's heartening to see such positive feedback, which motivates us to continue delivering outstanding service.

We recently hosted guests celebrating the 25th anniversary of their company, True North. They were delighted by their private wine tastings at Bouchard and sent us some wonderful pictures. Their engagement with our team left a lasting impression, and they were especially impressed with Birkenhead House. We look forward to welcoming them back during the whale season.

Despite the chilly 17-degree weather in Hermanus, our spirits have been high. Our front of house and front office team went on educational excursions, including a thrilling shark cage diving experience. This firsthand knowledge allows us to provide richer recommendations and insights to our guests.

We also had the pleasure of recognising outstanding team members. Seipati Mmatha, a relatively new addition to our reception team and our July Employee of the Month, and Gift Ngobese (Waiter), our June Employee of the Month, have both shown remarkable dedication and promise. Their contributions are invaluable, and we foresee great futures for them within The Royal Portfolio.

Nikita du Preez (Front Office Manager) has developed an in-depth training presentation for our front-of-house team, ensuring everyone is equipped with comprehensive knowledge to better serve our guests. Additionally, Wayne Spencer (Deputy General Manager), Shane Brummer (General Manager), and Rita Msongelwa (FOH Duty Manager) completed a first aid course, enhancing our ability to handle emergencies effectively.

Our front of house team also visited Creation Wines and Kanonkop, gaining deeper insights into these experiences to better inform our guests. This quieter season is perfect for such educational and maintenance activities.

We recently undertook a fun and educational project to develop new cocktails. After some research and testing, four new cocktails will be added to our menu.

Our Spa team has also been hard at work with Babor training, allowing them to provide our guests with the ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

Our commitment to the community continues with our twice-monthly involvement in the Night Shelter. The team enjoys preparing meals, and the shelter residents always look forward to our visits. We're also planning to assist with their vegetable gardens, teaching residents how to maintain them and involving other companies in this initiative.

We recently enjoyed a fantastic staff party at Stanford Hills Estate, complete with a round of putt-putt, an award ceremony, and a delightful lunch. It was a wonderful opportunity for team building and recognising achievements. We handed out several awards, including Mr. and Mrs. Birkenhead House, and celebrated our June Employee of the Month.

The Silo Hotel

It has been a fantastic month for The Silo, with numerous positive guest experiences. We have received several guest questionnaires praising our welcoming reception and exceptional service. One guest even expressed a desire to be part of our "wonderful family." Another guest highlighted the gorgeous, quiet, and beautifully decorated suite they stayed in, along with the delicious and fresh food.

Our Royal Tea has been a hit, with guests raving about the setting, view, professional service, and delightful presentation. They also celebrated an 18th birthday, making it memorable with a special birthday plate and a rooftop photo opportunity.

Father's Day was a joyous occasion, celebrated with all fathers and those who identify as fathers. We also took time to appreciate our night team, recognising their hard work with sweet treats.

A huge congratulations also goes to Rita Nantongo (Breakfast Manager) who received a Silo Star Award for her outstanding breakfast service.

We hosted a memorial service for our beloved Zoleka Mbali, with heartfelt thanks to the housekeeping team for organising it.

Our commitment to the community continues with projects like Leliebloem, Maximjana Soup Kitchen and the Friends of Child Protection initiative, providing support and nourishment to those in need.

We are proud to announce that our revenue exceeded budget for June. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team in providing our guests with a perfect stay.

We celebrated milestone birthdays for Bullie Yam (Staff Canteen Coordinator) and Thobani Nofemele (Junior Barmen). Congratulations to Jessica Pohl (Concierge and Guest Relations Manager) on the birth of Kiara, and a big thank you to the Housekeeping team who treated Alwaba Khonzapi (Housekeeping Team Leader) to a beautiful baby shower. Our staff members Nkululeko Mateke (Trainee Chef) and Pakamani Mphoswa (Trainee Chef) are currently in Sweden, and we wish them the best in their endeavors.

Our new starter induction was a big success and well-attended, and we are excited about the innovative changes, including new green couches that have received positive feedback.

La Residence

We are thrilled by the positive reviews we have received from our guests. Our team encourages guests to leave feedback, which serves as cherished mementos of their stay. These reviews highlight the heartfelt experiences and memories created at La Residence.

Our team has been creatively enhancing the guest experience with stunning flower arrangements and personalised room decor, particularly for honeymoon couples. These thoughtful touches, such as sneakily placing photos in rooms to surprise guests upon arrival, have been met with immense appreciation and delight.

We are incredibly proud of our team's dedication and versatility. From maintenance to event preparations, every team member goes above and beyond.

At La Residence, we love celebrating special moments with our guests. Recently, we hosted a memorable 60th birthday celebration and a heartfelt Father’s Day event, complete with chocolates and thoughtful quotes. Our team continuously develops and trains to ensure we provide the best service, including introducing new menus and wine education for our staff.

Over the past month, we have also spent some time developing our employees across the board by completing some site visits and doing some very important menu training.

In our ongoing efforts to innovate and save costs, we have developed our own flower stand and started dehydrating fruits for garnishes. These measures not only enhance our service but also allow us to maintain financial sustainability. Our pastry chef's handwritten notes on napkins for daily cakes add a personal touch that our guests adore.

We remain committed to supporting our local community through regular initiatives and we continue to provide financial support to various community projects. These efforts reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact.

Our gift store has become a favourite among guests, featuring beautifully displayed items and artwork. Thanks to the exceptional display skills of Chantell Viljoen (Guest Experience Manager) and our team, the store continues to thrive, offering unique and cherished souvenirs for our guests.

As we welcome the change of seasons, our resident peacocks are beginning their mating season. Their majestic tails are growing, adding to the charm of La Residence. While we anticipate some noise complaints, we are excited to witness this natural spectacle.

ROYAL MALEWANE

Our front of house team beautifully arranged a sundowner setup for the Zendesk group across our safari properties. Despite the windy weather, the food and beverages were exceptional, making the event memorable for our guests. We’ve also introduced new stops in the bush, including a fly-through pancake and hot chocolate stop, enhancing the safari experience without impacting the overall adventure.

Chef Archie Maclean (Executive Chef) delighted two families celebrating Father’s Day with a substantial steak breakfast. Both families left with full hearts and stomachs, making the day extra special.

Our winter bomas in the Royal Suites, complete with central fireplaces and lanterns, have provided a cozy and intimate setting for our guests. Private library dinners by the roaring fire and magical bush dinners have continued to enchant our visitors, creating unforgettable experiences.

We bid farewell to the Zendesk group with a joyous braai night, filled with singing, dancing, and camaraderie. The setup in Waterside's library with one big table brought everyone together, making it a fun and memorable night.

We received a heartfelt letter from a guest staying in the Baobab Suite at Waterside, expressing their gratitude for the seamless attention to detail and exceptional service. Such feedback reaffirms our commitment to providing a remarkable experience for all our guests.

We are thrilled to announce our Employees of the Quarter at Malewane Lodge. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly proud of your contributions.

The Waterside spa team enjoyed a wonderful team-building session, and we held certificate handouts for first aid and fire training, ensuring our team is well-prepared for any situation.

We are also extremely excited to announce that HJ Esterhuizen (Senior Professional Field Guide) is representing us at the Safari Guide of the Year competition. Let’s show our support for HJ as he competes and showcases our excellence. The final awards evening will take place tonight, 05 July 2024, at 18h30 and can be watched live on the Safari Guide of the Year YouTube Channel.

We’ve been developing new game drive offerings, including breakfast stops with pastries, continental offerings, fruit skewers, juices, beverages, and mimosas. These enhancements are designed to add a touch of luxury to our guests’ safari adventures.

Our commitment to the community remains strong. We’ve provided new chairs for the primary school, collected bottle caps to minimise plastic waste, and supported the creation of treasures from trash through Nourish. Additionally, our efforts at Sigagule and other local crèches have made a significant impact, with clean-ups and new coats of paint creating a better environment for the children.

Our employees remain committed to ensuring we can all live in a neat and clean environment, and this means that monthly clean ups around our staff housing areas are a must!

We’ve had some exciting wildlife sightings, including a male lion walking past the lodge, vocalising and scent-marking, creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. A baby Nyala was also born at the lodge, much to the delight of our guests.

With a large Kosher group expected soon, our front of house and kitchen teams received specialised training from a Rabbi, ensuring we meet all their needs and expectations.

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to two valued team members, Lissa Ngonyama from Housekeeping and Abednigo "Nico" Mdaka, our Barista. We’ve set up prayer rooms and supported each other through this difficult time, honouring their memory and contributions.

FOUNDATION UPDATE

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Community Enrichment Officer, Menelisi Ngomane. Menelisi hails from a local village near Royal Malewane and brings with him a wealth of experience, having completed internships and worked in schools and local libraries. We are very excited to welcome him to our team. He will be based at the Sihlekisi Primary School for four days a week, where he will manage the new computer lab we're setting up. His responsibilities will include assisting teachers with computer usage, developing teaching materials, and supporting students with their reading and other challenges. He will also spend time at our libraries and the CRC to understand our purpose and values. On Wednesdays, he will collaborate with our partners at SAME and engage with various crèches.

In other news, our European Roller tagging project from March has garnered significant attention, even being featured in an article by the Daily Maverick. One of the tagged birds, Hera, successfully made it to Uzbekistan for breeding, completing the journey in six weeks. Unfortunately, we lost track of Royal Wassi, possibly due to a tracker malfunction or other unfortunate circumstances. Despite this, the project has been a great success, and Birdlife plan to tag more birds next season.

In June, we conducted a monthly talk focusing on the challenges and realities of conservation. John Davies from EWT and Kyle Middleton from the APNR Ground Hornbill Project shared their insights on various aspects such as veterinary issues and funding. It was enlightening to hear their perspectives on the conservation challenges they encounter. We had a great turnout.

We were also thrilled to host Mason Holling at the Conservation and Research Centre (CRC) for six weeks. His parents stayed at Royal Malewane years ago, and he returned last year to Waterside for a three-month internship. He is now currently studying in the US and chose to spend six weeks at the CRC for his research proposal focused on the economics of poaching and its impact on communities. During his time with us, he gained hands-on experience, including participating in an elephant snare incident and a rhino dehorning operation. This experience has significantly enriched his knowledge and may even influence his research focus.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT TRP

Please refer to The Royal Portfolio's Careers page (www.theroyalportfolio.com/careers) where we list most of the open vacancies in the group. This is the reference point for all internal and external applications, so feel free to share the site with your industry friends and networks. You can click here, or scan the QR code to visit the website. Or check in with your HR Manager who will be able to discuss all opportunities across the group.

• Internal applications, please let your HOD and property HR Manager know if you are interested in applying.

• External applications are only received via our Careers page (no paper-based CVs, or direct emails, this is to ensure that we remain POPI compliant).
  

TO BE WELCOMING GENUINE AND WARM

NEW STARTERS

A very warm welcome to the following new team members across The Royal Portfolio:

TO RECOGNISE, REWARD AND UPLIFT

PROMOTIONS & INTERNAL MOVEMENTS

Congratulations to the below staff for their hard work and for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure that we can Give our Guests a Complete Experience and a Perfect Stay!

LONG SERVICE AWARDS - 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25 Years with TRP in July!

Congratulations and thank you to the following staff for their loyalty and hard work over the years:

• Unity Mokhomolo (Chef de Partie @ ML) | 5 Years on the 01st of July 2024

• William Nyalungu (Staff Driver @ ML) | 15 Years on the 14th of July 2024

Don't forget to read and share our latest Blog Posts on

The Royal Portfolio Website!