Landmark Cape Town hotel bites the dust
The famous iconic Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Victoria Junction will no longer be opening its doors to prospective guests and travelers.
The hotel is the latest casualty of Covid-19's impact on the tourism sector.
The hotel, which is in the popular De Waterkant area – close to tourist hotspots like the V&A Waterfront and central city – will no longer be managed by Marriott International, nor will it be part of the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand portfolio.
Volker Heiden, the area vice president of Marriott International, Sub-Saharan Africa, confirmed that the hotel won't be part of Marriott International or part of the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand portfolio.
It has been handed back to the property's owners, namely HPF Properties, which is owned by Tsogo Sun, said Heiden.
Marcel von Aulock, Tsogo Sun Hotels CEO, confirmed on Wednesday that Tsogo Sun Hotels owns Victoria Junction. He says it was previously leased to Marriott, which has given it up.
"It is expected that Tsogo Sun Hotels will take it in-house and re-open Victoria Junction in due course," said Von Aulock. The timeline is unclear.
Heiden, speaking for Marriott International, described the pandemic's impact as "unprecedented".
"The impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry has been unprecedented. Travel restrictions and social distancing efforts around the world have resulted in weaker demand and economic uncertainty. Due to the financial impact of the situation and having explored the relevant avenues available to us, we must shut the doors at Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Victoria Junction," said Heiden.
"These are indeed challenging times and our thoughts are with the associates impacted by this decision. We value their hard work and dedication over the years and thank them for their service."
Independent analyst Anthony Clark of Small Talk Daily said the hotel had tourist appeal due to its convenient location. But, he added, despite the lifting of travel restrictions, "many hotels simply could not cope due to a lack of tourists".
The Protea does have other hotels in its portfolio situated close by, including the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge at the V&A Waterfront and the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town North Wharf in the CBD. It also runs the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point.
Tsogo Sun has the Southern Sun Cullinan, the Southern Sun Waterfront, the StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl, the Sun1 Foreshore and the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl in the city centre.