Tourism industry mourns loss of hotelier extraordinaire
The tourism industry has
paid tribute to veteran
hotelier, Liz McGrath, 91,
who died at her home in
Johannesburg on Saturday
following a short illness.
Relais & Châteaux Africa
director, Annie-Claude
Bergonzoli, said: “I am
proud to have worked with
her for so many wonderful
years and look back
with fondness on all the
beautiful memories we
shared together. Her touch
will live on as a beacon of
inspiration to present and
future hoteliers!”
Fedhasa Cape chairman,
Rob Kucera, said: “Liz was
a true visionary and will be
missed for her passionate
support of the South
African tourism industry.
Fedhasa Cape extends
our condolences to her
family and a message of
sincere appreciation to
her colleagues and staff
for their commitment in
keeping Liz’s vision alive.”
Cape Town Tourism ceo,
Enver Duminy, said: “Liz’s
passing is a loss to the
tourism industry and she
will be fondly remembered
as the first lady of tourism
in South Africa.”
‘The Collection by Liz
McGrath’ included The
Plettenberg in Plettenberg
Bay, The Marine in
Hermanus and The
Cellars-Hohenort in Cape
Town, all members of
the prestigious Relais &
Châteaux group. In 2013
she also upgraded and
took over the management
of the Matjiesfontein
Hotel.
In 1997, Liz was named
Woman to Watch by The
National Foundation for
Woman Business Owners
and Fortune magazine
in Paris. In 2008, she
received The Woman of
the Year Award during the
annual Relais & Châteaux
congress, followed in 2010
by the Relais & Garden
Trophy for the gardens at
The Cellars-Hohenort.
Her funeral took place
on January 30 at the
Rosebank Catholic Church
in Johannesburg.
A memorial service will
be held in Cape Town
at St. Bernard Catholic
Church in Newlands at
14h30 on February 3.
