THREE CITIES AND MANTIS CREATE A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

- 16 July 2010

From left to right, Mike Lambert Three Cities CEO and Adrian Gardiner Mantis CEO at the V&A Waterfront.

In an important development in the Southern African Hospitality Industry, the Mantis and Three Cities Groups have announced the formation of a Joint Venture. The two organizations have recognized their individual strengths, that is that Mantis is primarily focused on the 5 Star International market and Three Cities on the 4 Star Southern African market. Both companies in recognizing their strengths in these different markets and by creating a joint hospitality force will be able to leverage each other’s markets by optimizing overhead structures. Like most International organizations of which there are many coupled examples, the Joint Venture will mean that Mantis will be the 5 Star brand together with its partner in Southern Africa Preferred Boutique™ Hotels. Three Cities will concentrate on the 4 Star segment and their city hotels where Mantis do not operate. The new partnership has recognized that there will be instances where joint branding is appropriate especially where the product concerned is dependent on both international and local markets in the 5 Star category.

The powerful new Hospitality focused Group will cross sell each other’s properties whilst leveraging off an existing infrastructure using the combined Mantis and Three Cities Central Reservation services with the most up to date systems and connectivity available.

The alliance will position Three Cities to market Mantis properties regionally while Mantis will in turn to be showcasing Three Cities properties through their international offices in the UK, Europe and United States. The Joint Venture also provides Three Cities with a portal to a massive international market in conjunction with the Mantis Group’s partnership with explora Properties and Preferred Boutique™ Hotel Group. Preferred Boutique™ is a leading global provider of high-performance sales, marketing and technology support to individually owned and operated hotels and resorts, with over 740 members in over 65 countries.

“The agreement will not only leverage off existing infrastructure but also entrench the core values of both companies as hospitality leaders. It’s an exciting development which I believe will have a huge impact on our country and the region’s hospitality industry,” says Mike Lambert CEO of Three Cities.

“We are incredibly excited about the journey that Mantis is to embark on with Three Cities, and thrilled to have the opportunity jointly to represent and market their properties in South Africa and internationally. We believe that this partnership will provide a competitive advantage in the market place and will be enriching and rewarding for both brands locally and worldwide,” adds Adrian Gardiner CEO Mantis.

Mantis consists of World Famous Game Reserves and Boutique Hotels with a presence in South Africa, Africa, England, Scotland, Europe, South America and Antarctica. It is a collection of some of the World’s finest destinations each individually selected, inspired by its own unique location and recognizing the importance of wildlife, culture, beauty and individuality.

Founded in 2000, Mantis has won many accolades and honors including The World Travel Awards for the Leading Conservation Company and Leading Safari and Game Reserve, British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow, The Terra Nova Award, Harpers and Queen 100 Best Places to visit and 25 local and international awards.

At the Africa Awards Ceremony held in Johannesburg last week, Mantis and its properties were recognized in the following categories:

Mantis - Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand
Mantis - Africa’s Leading Game Reserve Brand
Mantis - South Africa’s Leading Game Reserve Brand
Shamwari Game Reserve - Africa’s Leading Conservation Company 
Shamwari Game Reserve - Africa’s Leading Safari
Shamwari Townhouse - Africa’s Leading Town House Hotel
The Last Word Long Beach - South Africa’s Leading Luxury Beach Hotel

Three Cities is a leading hospitality management and marketing company offering an extensive collection of hotels throughout Southern Africa. Divisions within the group incorporate urban environments within “City Hotels” located in the heart of the Southern African business world whilst, magnificent rural scenery are the settings of their activity and family friendly “Resorts”. “Exceptional Safaris” feature unique and private destinations accompanied by the best that African wildlife has to offer. The “Exceptional Collection" boasts a selection of the most outstanding five-star and award winning hotels from the above brands. From Cape Town to Victoria Falls this energetic hospitality company offers a broad dimension to travel.

Russell Stevens founder of the Three Cities Group and a personal friend of Adrian Gardiner’s for over twenty years said “Adrian and I have explored these synergies over the years and we now both believe we have the right dynamic young management to pull it all together”.

The combined group will generate sales in Southern Africa in excess of R 1 billion.

Mantis and Three Cities contact details are as follows:

Mantis
Tel: +27 (0) 41 407 1000
Email

Three Cities
Tel: 0861 000 333
Int Tel: +27 31 310 6900
Website