Fairmont Zanzibar received a GOLD AWARD at this year’s SALI Annual Awards of Excellence event which took place at Emperors Palace last month.
The South African Green Industries Council (SAGIC) hosts a prestigious Convention each year and SALI, as a full member of this council, uses the opportunity to showcase its Annual Awards of Excellence to its co-members of SAGIC, to its own members, invited guests and to the invited media.
IFA Hotels & Resorts and strategic partner Kingdom Hotel Investments opened their Zanzibar resort in November 2007. Wessel Witthuhn President – IFA Hotels & Resorts Africa & Indian Ocean said “IFA are proud to have been associated with Earthquest on this project. They undertook and completed the project encompassing social development, education and environmental matters, hence the outcome has been the creation of wonderful gardens”.
Fairmont Zanzibar’s gardens were entered under the category “Landscape Construction with Design by Others”. Landmark Studios were the designers and Earthquest Management Consultants carried out the extensive work on the gardens.
“We achieved a Gold award for our efforts on site” said Derek Vincent, owner of Earthquest Management Consultants . “The contract period spanned May 2006 to May 2007 and the value totaled US$ 376 000.00.
The main objectives behind the contract was to set up an on site nursery, cover exposed coral rock with imported top soil( 2500m3), salvage and save 50 endangered Cycad species from destruction (Encepharlartos hildebrandti) and incorporate them into the landscape while also propagating and procuring 75000 plants for future landscape construction. Privacy between the units was also created.
“A three month post completion maintenance training period was done with the local staff on horticultural practices and on how to maintain the landscape for the future”, said Vincent.
Global luxury hotel leader Fairmont Hotels & Resorts were appointed to manage the resort and the property was branded “Fairmont Zanzibar” in 2007. Travellers can now enjoy a unique and enriching experience in the newly renovated resort and award winning gardens and grounds.
Thomas Norberg, General Manager of the Fairmont Zanzibar concluded, “'Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, in partnership with IFA Hotels and Resorts, has long had a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and a passion for providing training and job skills to the employees who work with us around the world. It is gratifying to see both of these commitments come together and be recognized by the SALI here in Zanzibar. The entire staff is extremely proud of our gardens - they truly compliment the tropical beach resort experience for our guests, creating a comforting oasis during their stay with us”.
