Well-known industry hotelier fills franchise gap

HOTELIER and ex-member of the Limpopo Tourism Board, Johan Janse van Vuuren, has established the Avuxeni Hotels & Resorts franchise. According to him, this arose out of a recognition that there was a "desperate need" for a franchise hotel group which could service the three-star and below market segment. "In this way I could also assist the previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) and communities by empowering them to meaningfully participate in the benefits of tourism and own tourism products," says Janse van Vuuren. By joining the Avuxeni group, franchisees will be assisted and trained in all spheres of management, including operations management, sales and marketing, grading and standards, accounting, interior design, customer care and strategic planning. Avuxeni also recently appointed Matie Barnard as its new operations manager. Barnard is previously from Aventura Resorts and brings a numbers of years of experience in resorts to the Avuxeni stable. (Adéle Mackenzie)