EARLIER this year, City
Lodge Hotel Group
appointed a new
management team and the
group recently took its sales
function in-house.
Andrew Widegger, the
group’s financial director since
1994, was appointed ceo
following the retirement of
Clifford Ross, while Alastair
Dooley, who has been with
the company for nearly 10
years, was promoted from
divisional director: Financial,
to cfo. A chief operating officer
position was also created and
is filled by Lindiwe SangweniSiddo,
who joined the group
as a divisional director of
operations in 2015.
Previously, City Lodge had
outsourced its sales function,
relying on external sales
people to represent the
group’s product. While the
group will still rely on a couple
of external sales people in a
few regions, a dedicated team
will now call on members of
the trade. The sales team is
headed up by director of sales
and marketing, Zuki Jantjies.
Andrew said City Lodge
distinguished itself by being
one of the few hotel groups
to offer commission. “We
recognise that the trade is
very important to us.” Unlike
a number of other hotels, City
Lodge has also not moved
to dynamic pricing. Andrew
said the group had taken this
strategy to secure loyal clients.
“Our rate is our rate and we
are transparent,” he said.
The group is also investing
in technology, with the view
of implementing a new
system to streamline the
check-in process. Driving this
programme is Neda Smith,
who was recently appointed
divisional director: Information
Technology.
Commenting on the current
tough economic climate,
Andrew said the group had
seen a decline in business
and leisure travel, with leisure
travel hardest hit
