Being extremely passionate about the tourism industry in South Africa, it's always great seeing local businesses play a part in building a world class hospitality sector. A business I've recently come across that's making waves in the industry is PMP Germ Guard, a chemical manufacturer that supplies cleaning and hygiene products for the hospitality and tourism sector.
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The PMP Germ Guard was established in 2020 with the intention of developing a tourism sector that is health-responsive and gives customers the assurance they would be safe wherever they travel.
The Founder and current CEO Ravi Naidoo and his wife Pam Naidoo launched PMP Germ Guard in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, because they couldn't think of anything better when discussing the return of tourism other than health related issues and visitor safety measures.
NevrodSai Acctax Solutions, the Accounting & Tax Practice of the NEVROD GROUP got an exemption to open offices, but had to cleanse the office using 70% Alcohol Sanitizer and Antibacterial Surface spray. It was upon the utilization of hand sanitizers and antibacterial surface spray that the pair looked at venturing into the Tourism space and becoming suppliers to the industry in line with the Tourism and Hospitality standard protocols for Covid-19 operations.
This article highlights initiatives that successfully promote cooperation and health precautions to create a secure and long-lasting tourism sector. The write-up describes the significance of PMP Germ Guard, a business that developed out of worries about the demise of the tourism industry with the introduction of Covid-19, producing not only sanitary products but also making a significant contribution to the new, responsible tourism.
In an article titled "Sustainable development goals and socio-economic development through tourism in Central Africa," Kimbu and Tichaawa (2018) describe the tourism industry as one that runs entirely on goals that seek to meet the requirements of the global sustainable development goals, which means that for tourism to be successful, its objectives must be in line with the Sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Which is essentially where PMP Germ Guard comes into play. Health and safety is one of the SDGs that the entire world must work together to achieve, and PMP plays a crucial role in this. Aiming to inspire consumer motivation toward the new tourism practices that focus on maintaining a healthy and germ-free trip and stay, PMP germ guard was founded to allay traveler anxieties and develop products.
The new tourism sector standards urge the use of hygienic measures to reduce traveler worries while choosing their chosen places, notably lodging facilities. The tourism business is the one that must adjust the fastest to the new rules and standards of Practice after Covid-19 in a world that still exhibits signs of the virus.
By promoting hygienic procedures for the protection of consumers and by helping SMMEs build a platform to use health and safety assurances to drive demand for their travel enterprises, PMP Germ Guard is supporting the practice of "responsible tourism" in the tourism industry. Since tourism is a consumer market, attempts to stop the virus' transmission as well as to make it simpler to choose between enterprises that provide health services and tourism should be taken into account.
Instead of focusing on the safety of those working in the service industry, PMP products emphasizes actions that preserve the experience and comfort of the consumer.
The PMP Germ Guard was established in 2020 with the intention of developing a tourism sector that is health-responsive and gives customers the assurance they would be safe wherever they travel. The company initially provided 50ml bottles of hand sanitizers branded with the name of the lodging establishment in accordance with Section 15.7 of the tourism protocols of October 2020. Since then, the company has added three additional products to further improve the health and safety of travelers and visitors in the lodging sectors.
So far the business has a presence in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, KZN & Free State and will shortly be in the North West and Northern Cape.
The goal is to illustrate responsible tourism environments; unless a particular company employs a service-driven approach to guaranteeing customer safety alertness, to enhance confidence, individuals will always find issues in their surroundings.
Managing the effects of COVID-19 and developing a product that reassures customers of the safety precautions taken to allow a healthy and safe travel experience and stay at their reserved lodging facilities.
People vary, and to some extent, some put more effort into adhering to fundamental health criteria, particularly in settings with many people. For others, health information needs to be spread so they may better take care of themselves. The PMP goods are made to encourage people's health concerns in addition to helping people keep a safe distance from other people to foster safe tourism surroundings.
Through strategic partnerships and engagement with industry stakeholders, PMP Germ Guard hopes to play a significant part in the tourism sector's increased contribution to health measures while implementing consumer satisfaction interventions in business operations. This goal is accomplished by providing the sector with PMP Germ Guard travel packs.
Qatar Airways, the Official Airline Partner of FIFA, concluded its FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ journey in style, presenting the medals and individual awards to Argentina after their historic 4-2 victory on penalties over 2018 champions, France. Following a thrilling month of non-stop action and entertainment, the airline operated nearly 14,000 flights, uniting the world in Qatar for the greatest sporting show on Earth.
Steenberg is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc, the refreshing summer wine crafted from idyllic cool climate vineyards in the Constantia Wine Valley.
The notion of clean beauty has been around for some time, but it has undoubtedly now become somewhat of a revolution, thanks to the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop et al. But what exactly is clean beauty? And is it the same as green beauty? And where does it fit in with the likes of natural, all-natural, plant-based, vegan and organic skincare and cosmetics? It’s not surprising that even the conscious beauty consumer may find the choices a little confusing.
The scenery in the Cape Province is drenched in natural beauty. As a result, rather than being a means to an end, our roads have become destinations in their own right.
These are the top five places that should be on your road trip bucket list to visit on your next road trip to the Cape Province, according to motus.cars.
MSC Cruises recently opened sales for its 2023-24 sailing season featuring its most modern ship to serve South Africa, MSC Splendida.
The 14-deck passenger vessel can accommodate up to 4,363 passengers and features for the first time in South Africa, the MSC Yacht Club – a premium ‘ship within a ship’ concept with 71 spacious suites, a dedicated concierge desk, 24-hour butler service, private restaurant, swimming pool and sunbathing area.
MSC Splendida will be based from November 2023 in the port of Durban and offer a range of voyages that last between 3 and 14 nights to Namibia, Mozambique and other Indian Ocean destinations. MSC Cruises will in total operate 35 sailings of MSC Splendida from both Durban and Cape Town during 2023-24.
Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa said, “MSC Splendida will take cruising in South Africa to the next level and redefine holidays at sea. It will give our guests of all ages an incredible opportunity to indulge in wonderful, enjoyable and memorable experiences.
“This further demonstrates our commitment to the South African tourism sector and MSC Cruises’ aim to drive both the tourism industry and the cruising sector with a resultant positive economic impact to the country.
“The ship will be staffed by nearly 1,400 crew, who look forward to giving our guests the experience of a lifetime, many of whom will be sourced and trained locally through the Shosholoza Academy in Durban.”
MSC Splendida has a range of themed bars and dining venues including specialty Mediterranean and American steak house restaurants. The ship also has four swimming pools, The Strand Theatre for nighttime entertainment, Club 33 nightclub, an ultramodern gym, squash court and running track.
For more information on MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruises.co.za.
“Aladdin is so much more than a ‘boy meets girl’ story with bad guys and magic,” says Director Glenn Hayden of the current production of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp running at the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace until the 4th of December.
With a spectacular 21st Century take on the old-time classic fairy tale, Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp is filled with dreams mixed with incredible artistry and a thrilling and colourful production which continues to remind us that the magic is in all of us…and we could all do with a little hope and love at this time of the year.
When we think of magic, Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp is one of the first stories that comes to mind. Aladdin is a classic ‘rags to riches’ tale with a young hero, a beautiful princess, and an evil villain, and is made complete with genies, wishes and magic. The story is one of the best known and most retold fairy tales of all time. Based on an original text by Producer Anjil Naidoo, Aladdin has been reimagined for the stage by an international team of award-winning theatre artists and a cast of 20 of South Africa’s best young and established actors and dancers.
Director and dramaturge Glenn Hayden, playwright Lakhinandan Boruah, composer Pranashan Singh, choreographers Bertwin D’Souza and Shampa GopiKrishna and Disrupt Media have combined forces with Astrid Productions to bring to the stage a new production of truly epic proportions for South African family audiences.
This new and extravagant production of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp is the brainchild of producer Anjil Naidoo. Determined to showcase the abundance of South African talent, Anjil wrote an original text of the Aladdin story and set about putting together a creative team of theatre professionals that would bring her vision to the stage.
Anjil says that, This is especially exciting at a time when the arts are in such immense need of revival following the difficult times, we have all experienced. I can’t wait for everyone to come out and enjoy the show!
Following the birth of her dream, the search was on to put together the best cast possible who would bring Aladdin alive. Stars Vash Singh and Yasmin Hankel in the title roles of Aladdin and Princess Almas, who are supported by the magical talents of Belinda Henwood, Rowan Bartlett, Darren King, Tshediso Kabulu, Sanele Sibiya, and an ensemble of extraordinary dancers.
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp is set to be a unique production of size and quality rarely seen in South Africa. With the inclusion of an original score, riveting choreography and a script that is fun, witty, and heartfelt, it will be a production that no child, adult, or theatre lover will want to miss.
Final show week details for Theatre of Marcellus:
2 Dec 14:30 | 18:30
3 Dec 11:00 | 14:30 | 18:30
4 Dec 11:00 | 14:30 | 18:30
Tickets are available at Ticketpro from R243.
November 2022 is a month to celebrate… because it is Col'Cacchio Pizzeria's 30th anniversary! It’s with great pride and joy that restaurateur-and-entrepreneur-
Loxtonia, the range of 100% pure apple ciders from the Ceres Valley, have launched two LITE versions of their most popular ciders – Crispy Apple and Blush – in pace with the ever-growing trend towards no and low alcohol lifestyle alternatives.
Earlier this year I was luckily enough to visit the iconic The Capital Zimbali in Durban. Truly a world-class coastal getaway, The Capital Zimbali is located in Ballito, around 20 minutes north of King Shaka Airport in Durban. The weekend of my stay happened to be a very stormy and rainy weekend in the East Coast but nevertheless The Capital Zimbali had loads to do to keep me busy and it still proved to be an incredible getaway.
If you haven't read my full review of Four Seasons The Westcliff, what are you waiting for? During my stay I also visited the acclaimed Flames restaurant at the hotel. Here's my experience of the dinner and breakfast at Flames.
In August 2022 I got to experience world-class, 5-star luxury right here in Johannesburg, at Four Seasons The Westcliff. This hillside gem overlooks the Rosebank and Johannesburg CBD skylines.
On a recent trip to Durban I spent a night at Sibaya Lodge located just next to Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom, north of Durban. With a touch of Zulu elements in the decor and style, Sibaya Lodge is a fantastic North Coast getaway that offers great value for money. It's designed to reflect the royal heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. As a KZN born and bred, I can confirm that it in fact does reflect the Natal vibe. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, I can't think of a better way to enjoy the warm KZN weather. I couldn't believe my stay was in the middle of winter!
MY VERDICT: Family-friendly bed and breakfast accommodation that reflects the feel of KZN with Sibaya Casino easily accessible
Set on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s rolling green hills, Sun International’s Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom commands a magnificent 360 degree view of the Indian Ocean and the lush subtropical vegetation surrounding the 48 hectare North Coast property.
The architecture of the property, with its casino, two hotels and entertainment area, pays contemporary homage to the proud heritage of the Zulu kingdom and its brave warriors.
Sibaya offers world class accommodation for business and holiday travel. Stay at either the 118-room Sibaya Hotel or the 36-room luxurious boutique Royal Sibaya. All rooms have sea, pool or garden facing views.
Location
Sibaya Lodge is conveniently located next to Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom in northern KZN. At a 12km drive, it's just a stones throw away from King Shaka International Airport. It's an 8 minute drive away from the hub of Umhlanga and Umhlanga beach and just 5km away from the seaside town of Umdloti. It'll take you about 25 minutes to get to central Durban and 30 minutes to Ballito.
Room, Facilities & Food
Sibaya Lodge's 118 air-conditioned rooms have sea, pool and garden views and are a spacious 28m2 with either a queen bed and sleeper couch or 2 double beds. The rooms are fairly simple with your bed, couch, TV, cupboard and tea/coffee station. It also has a large bathroom with a big, open shower (I love really spacious showers!). The room had carpets and warm lighting which made it feel homely.
In terms of facilities, the lodge has a lovely pool area as well as an outdoor gym. There's also free parking, if you drive there, and free wifi.
I had breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast hall overlooks the pool area. The breakfast selection was a standard buffet, with hot and cold breakfast options you can choose from.
Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom
For vibrant entertainment there is the casino with both smoking and non-smoking sections. Chose from the latest technology slot machines including touch-bet Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker, or opt for real Tables games.
Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom is a stones throw away and has amazing restaurants like Butcher's Block and Jewels of India, along with a variety of fast food places. You can also of course make use of the casino if that's your kind of thing, or have a go at the arcade.
Butcher Block Sibaya
I had dinner at Butcher Block Steakhouse Sibaya during my stay. Butcher Block was absolutely exceptional and I would highly recommend. Known for its steaks I of course couldn't resist. I went for the Blue Cheese + Jalapeño steak under Butcher's Choice, while my brother ordering the Surf + Turf. Both options were incredible with the steaks having been prepared perfect Medium Rare just as requested. Can we just take a moment to appreciate perfectly executed steak? Incredible! I also indulged in a Cherry and Cranberry Wine Spritzer as well as a Blueberry Daiquiri. Of these, I would highly recommend the Blueberry Daiquiri.
For us Joburgers, Sibaya Lodge is a great option to get out of the city and enjoy the balmy KZN weather. You also won't have to spend much on your Uber as it's so close to the airport.
This weekend I had the pleasure of staying at the Fairway Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort at the Randpark Golf Course in Johannesburg. This hidden gem comes as a complete surprise as it's tucked away in the residential suburb of Randpark Ridge. It's a piece of luxury and escape in a peaceful area.
Mother's Day, on 8th May 2022, is a great time to show Mom how much you appreciate her. Get more from your Mom’s Day treat with this delicious recipe.
A pet is more than a loyal companion; they’re an important part of the family and truly make a house feel like a home.
To ensure your pet’s health and happiness, here are some tips on how to take care of your pet.
Easter is around the corner and that means plenty of South Africans are eagerly awaiting some much-needed time off and a delicious Easter lunch. With time off and food being a winning combination, there is one key ingredient missing – a stunning location. Of course, your dining room table may be a fine piece of wood, it’s got nothing on the setting that Mzansi can provide when creating your seat at the table.
In Mzansi, we have the world in one country so there are always plenty of options to recreate your seat at the table.
Life can get quite hectic. If we’re not trying to meet work deadlines, helping the kids with homework we know absolutely nothing about, we’re keeping abreast of popular series so we don’t read or hear any spoilers! Don’t you fret. Throughout the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there’s always a sweet, soft spot in every special moment. Do you want to know how you can find the sweet spot amidst the chaos? ‘Nougat’ it!
Unilever has recently launched the redesigned look and formulation of the much loved Handy Andy creams. The renovation of the Handy Andy cream features a new modern look, improved product formulation and an innovative packaging solution in keeping with Unilever’s Clean Future strategy. The Clean Future strategy details how Unilever intends to incorporate sustainability-oriented ideas into its product formulations and packaging to decrease its carbon footprint.
Handy Andy’s innovative at-home refill will reduce consumer plastic waste
Unilever announces the launch of Handy Andy Floor and All-Purpose concentrated refill. The new 200ml refill allows consumers to refill and reuse their Handy Andy 750ml Floor and All-purpose bottles for life.
The 200ml and 750ml bottles are 100% recyclable once the plastic cap and labels are removed and are made from recycled materials which reflects Unilever's commitment to decreasing the use of virgin plastic and single-use plastic as part of their Clean Future Strategy. The Clean Future Strategy is unique in its intent to embed the circular economy principles into both packaging and product formulations at the scale of global brands to reduce their carbon footprint.
Unilever has committed that by 2025 it will halve its use of virgin plastic, by reducing its absolute use of plastic packaging by more than 100,000 tonnes and accelerating its use of recycled plastic.
Made with 60% less plastic (vs Handy Andy 750ml Floor and All-Purpose Bottle), Handy Andy 200ml concentrated refill reduced plastic waste. The refill contains a 3,75x concentrated formula, delivering the same superior clean for which Handy Andy is known and loved.
Ammarah Chand, Brand Manager of Hard Surface Cleaners at Unilever South Africa, said: “South Africans are looking for ways to reduce their plastic footprint and a concentrated refill that uses less plastic and is 100% recyclable is an easy switch that can have a positive impact on the world around us while still providing value to our consumers.”
Going smaller is certainly better; the refills are lightweight and save on storage space. The refill’s space-saving design also comes with a smaller price tag, retailing less than the price of 750ml Floor and All-Purpose bottles.
Handy Andy 200ml Concentrated Refill contains Handy Andy's cleaning expertise, combined with the germ-killing power of Domestos that kills 99.9% of germs while leaving your home smelling great with that added streak-free shine. There is no bleach in Handy Andy Floor and All-Purpose products.
The Handy Andy Floor and All-Purpose Cleaner 200ml Concentrated Refill with the power of Domestos is available at all major leading supermarkets across the country.
To dilute; simply pour 200ml concentrated refill into an empty 750ml Hand Andy Floor and All-purpose bottles and fill with 550ml water. Close lid and shake well to mix. Like the 750ml Handy Andy Floor and All-Purpose Cleaner, the 200ml Concentrated Refill comes in 3 variants, Ocean Fresh, Lavender Fresh and Pine Fresh.
Additional Branded Info
No bleach in product.
It’s been 5 years of Uber Eats in South Africa! I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine life before Uber Eats. It’s been such a game-changer for me especially since starting a new job and not having time to make dinner most nights.
Let’s not forget how it’s gotten me through the pandemic as it helped me support all my favourite restaurants without having to leave the house. And with all the awesome 2 for 1 deals, it’s also been a great way to order out without breaking the bank. I can’t imagine what 2020 and 2021 would have been like without the app.
