Safari Lodges to Launch at WTM
The Madikwe Collection will officially launch at WTM 2006.
OCTOBER 10, 2006. The Collection comprises 9 properties all within the Madikwe Game Reserve, situated 3.5 hours drive or 1 hour flight away from Johannesburg. The malaria free 75,000 hectare reserve is currently the fourth largest in South Africa and is only accessible to those staying in lodges and camps within the reserve.
The lodges vary from affordable self-catering options and community owned camps to exclusive, luxury, five star properties thereby offering something for both the discerning international traveller and the more independent safari goer. The Collection offers exclusive private and group bookings (up to 120 people) and many properties are child and family friendly. Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge and the recently opened Thakadu River Camp are both community-run accommodations.
Comprising a total of 124 beds, properties are either owned, leased, managed or have been invited to join by the Collection. This aggregation represents approximately 45% of the commercial camps in the Madikwe Reserve and 33% of the total commercial beds.
With suppliers increasingly insistent on immediate availability information and in anticipation of most transactions taking place over the net, the Collection has developed a central e-res software system to handle reservations on a real time basis, making the process convenient for operators and agents. This system will be particularly useful to those focusing on the weddings, groups and conference markets as it allows them to see exactly what is available across the Collection and 'mix & match' properties according to the number of rooms they require. It will also interface with the major travel portals.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
