Hard work and team effort paid off when one of Durban's iconic hotels and landmarks, the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel, beat 90 other hotels in the Southern Sun group to win the 2010 Hotel of the Year Award. The hotel competed with top hotels in Africa, Dubai and the Seychelles. It was judged for its financial performance, market share growth as well as ratings from guests and staff.

Warren Ozard, FEDHASA (East Coast) Operations Manager said "The Elangeni Hotel is the benchmark for other hotels to epitomize in both standards and service. The hotel complements the wonderful achievements that have been done to revitalize and beautify the beachfront and we are very proud to have it as a prestigious member of Fedhasa".

General Manager of the Elangeni, Mike Jackson said "it is great to have won. It is an award that all 274 staff from the cleaners, chefs and front office staff must share".
"Every month mystery guests rated hotels and I am over the moon that we have been recognized," said Jackson.

Said Karen Kohler TKZN Research Manager "Tourism in KZN, often led by tourism in Durban, owes an enormous amount to the Southern Sun group's investment in tourism plant in the region. The Elangeni is certainly the regional flagship, and well-placed to take advantage of the newly revamped Durban beachfront. Both of these tourism assets work in harmony to attract visitors to come and enjoy what we offer, and the Southern Sun group does well in recognizing and awarding the efforts of Michael Jackson and is team".

On hearing of the award, ICC's Marketing and Sales Manager Mala Dorasamy said "our congratulations also go to Mike Jackson and the Elangeni Hotel Team on this outstanding achievement. Business tourism in our country is dependent on hotels providing World Class service standards and dedicated teams that work towards exceeding all expectations. The ICC Durban is proud to be associated with the Southern Sun Elangeni ".

Jackson paid tribute to the group's Operations Director John van Rooyen for his leadership, motivation and inspiring them to reach great heights.
"The Elangeni had more than 160 000 guest stay with us this past year. We are looking forward to the festive season and I am confident that holiday makers are going to flock to Durban. We have one of the world's best beaches and the Durban beachfront is fantastic. People are going to really enjoy themselves," said Jackson.

The award comes at a time when the country celebrates Tourism Month in September.