Journalists were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the newly refurbished Mahogany restaurant at the well appointed Avani Gaborone Resort and Casino in Gaborone, courtesy of General Manager Candice Selato and Public Relations and Marketing Manager Samantha Bogopa.
The scribes were invited alongside the CEO of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB), Lilly Rakorong, for whom the occasion equally relevant, this coming on the eve of this year’s HATAB annual conference in Maun. In the course of the epicurean repast, Bogopa noted how HATAB plays “a very important role” in the growth of Botswana’s tourism industry, saying the quest to improve it has been “a very fruitful one” because Avani has experienced the benefits of being a member of the organisation. She added that this was her establishment’s second year as media sponsors and they are looking for more opportunities to support the industry .
Bogopa said Avani will continue to cater for the needs of the media because journalists have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the establishment. As a member of HATAB they will always strive for excellence by revamping the hotel to cater for everyone’s needs, she added. Her saying this was apt because it was borne out by the agreeable ambience in the very place where her guests were enjoying their dinner, Mahogany restraunt having been recently refurbished. Also fully furnished the gym and Avani’s yoga studio where the aesthetics are truly pleasant in an establishment notable for business and leisure.
Bogopa noted that in addition to its casino, Avani is famous for its freshly-baked goodies and on-demand carrot cakes. Apart from their conferencing facilities, there is a VIP boardroom styled Peo for its modern accoutrements that meet the market. For her part, HATAB’s Rakorong expressed her appreciation of Avani’s gesture and commended the establishment for playing a part in growing Botswana’s tourism sector. She noted that with their first-rate facilities, hotels like Avani are the go-to places for people who want to experience class while enjoying the buzz of the city.
This was an apposite observation because Avani Hotel and Casino sits midway along one of Gaborone’s busiest streets, the famous Dr Chuma Drive that is also the address for Notwane club and golf course, the University of Botswana, and several private medical doctors and facilities. Regarding the HATAB conference which was then imminent, Rakorong said it is a way to gather stakeholders and seek ways to grow, collaborate and ensure the success of the tourism sector.
