R20m pumped into Wilderness resort

OWNERS of the Protea Wilderness Resort in the town of Wilderness in the Western Cape, Pebble Resorts, predict that after their investment of a R20m upgrade they “will be taking back their place as a quality hotel in the Garden Route hospitality sector ". The resort hotel, with a history dating back to the 1920s, was previously owned by the troubled Karos group, before Protea took over management late last year, backed by an empowerment consortium. Pebbles Resorts joined forces with tour operaton,Thompsons Tours, to begin running the Protea Wilderness as a package destination resort hotel which will strive to ensure that occupation is kept at a high level throughout the year. This strategy will promote the concept of activity-driven week-long packages. Mark Buck, marketing manager for Pebble Resorts, says construction and refurbishment on the 158-room resort hotel began approximately three weeks ago, scheduled for completion by September this year. (Adéle Mackenzie)