The Forbes Travel Guide, ‘the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas’, launched in Cape Town recently and will feature South African properties for the first time in its 2020 edition.
According to a report by Tourism Update, ‘Ten luxury hotels (eight in Cape Town and two in Johannesburg) will be assessed by a team of incognito inspectors this year, with the results revealed when the 2020 Forbes Travel Guide is published in Las Vegas in February.’
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An office has been opened in Cape Town to create awareness about the benefits of the Forbes Travel Guide. There are also plans to expend sub-Saharan Africa.
Houston-based Senior VP Learning & Development, Jeff Wielgopola says, ‘South Africa is filled with amazing properties, so it’s about time that we are here.’
Luxury Indian Ocean properties will also be assessed for the first time this year by Forbes’ Dubai office.
“What makes the Forbes Travel Guide special is that we are the only global authority on luxury service. Our ratings create a sense of trust amongst luxury consumers as they know what to expect,” says Wielgopolan.
Hotels can’t apply to be rated. Instead, Forbes selects suitable properties and puts them on a shortlist. Evaluators then conduct anonymous inspections, ‘according to 520 set standards’. Of the evaluation, 75% is based on service with the reminder focusing on facilities.
