As I write this, I am reflecting on the mounting global economic concerns in the recent days. Of note are the United States of America's credit rating being downgraded and the debt crisis being faced by Italy. These occurrences are cyclical and typical of economies and businesses worldwide. Closer to home, I recently communicated our decision to exit out of the South African operations. While it was a tough decision that the board and management had to make, it is a normal turn of events for any hospitality company that hotels will be opened and hotels will be closed, but I am happy to say that the decision was in the best interest for African Sun.

As we operate hotels we must look at the hotel's full cycle and its ability to give us our targeted return over the period we are operating it. If we find that the company is funding the operations, particularly in a lease arrangement over a protracted period as in the instance of the two hotels in South Africa then a decision is made to exit out of the arrangement.

It is therefore important never to depend on one market for profitability and viability because of the nature of our business which is very fickle to political and economic trends. You will see that this is the case with all major hotel groups in the world and also here in Zimbabwe in that that they have presence in more than one geographical region. In that aspect we continue to seek presence in mega and growth cities in sub-Saharan Africa as our strategy and business model demands and we are set to open another 231 rooms before the end of the year. We have since opened the Best Western Homeville in Benin City in Nigeria. The next opening is Holiday Inn, Gaborone which is due to open by November in Botswana. We also have a 201-room Amber Express Hotel in Accra, Ghana under construction which is scheduled to open in the next 24 months.

Culinary group executive chef of African Sun, Dr Simon Davey, creates colourful, flavourful menu that combines two popular cuisines

The Grace in Rosebank has launched its new African Asian fusion menu, created by group executive chef of African Sun Dr Simon Davey. The dishes are a mix of the vivid colour and strong flavours of Africa with the more delicate and unique flavours of Asian cuisine.

Davey, originally from the UK, intends with this new a la carte menu to showcase his signatory style of French classical/modern with Asian fusion. He has extensive international experience in multi-national and -cultural establishments, including five-star hotels and Michelin star restaurants.

The menu includes dishes such as sweet chilli Cape gambas with prawn and coriander toast; chestnut soup served with a curried coconut foam; and smoked biltong and avocado salad tossed with sundried tomatoes, pickled cucumber and a ginger dressing for starters.

Main course include slowly braised springbok shank with bok choy, oyster sauce and pancetta crisps as well as oven roasted kingklip pierced with lemon grass and served on vanilla and wasabi mash.

A new introduction to the hotels restaurant, named The Dining Room, is a pre-dessert option, which includes crispy goats cheese with caramelised apple tian and hazelnut oil as well as a pan fried chicken terrine with three cheeses. Desserts include pan fried bananas flambed with saki, a lychee parfait with Chinese gun powder tea and lemon marmalade, and butter and ginger fritters served with African wildberry chutney.

Zimbabwean listed, African Sun Limited (ASL), has re-launched the Best Western Lagos under its management, reaffirming the hotel group as the leading pan African hospitality company with international brand associations and partnerships.

'The re-opening of the Best Western Lagos could not have come at a better time while we celebrate Nigeria's Golden Jubilee. Lagos is the business centre of West Africa, and the Best Western is perfectly located to provide the business community of Lagos with quality accommodation and services service as they work and look forward to the next 50 years of economic growth,' says Farayi Mangwende, Group Corporate Communications Manager for African Sun Limited.

Over the past 50 years the Best Western has been a hotel synonymous with providing the best hospitality services across the world, and that legacy will continue under African Sun's management.

"Nigeria is a very exciting market for us and The Best Western Lagos was a perfect fit with our strategy of increasing rooms in West Africa's growth cities. The Best Western Brand is well known in the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe and becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria. This investment will also add value to the West African market in terms of international brand associations,' says Cornelius Nyahunda Operations Director for African Sun Hotels, West Africa.

The Best Western Lagos is located at the heart of Ikeja, 10 minutes from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. The four star hotel has 112 medium sized rooms comprising four business express rooms, six business deluxe rooms, six suites and 96 business plus rooms; offering guests a variety of options for their needs. The hotel also features state of the art conferencing facilities for up to 100 delegates seated cinema style and 12 seated boardroom style, with must-have features such as wireless internet and a business centre. The hotel is conveniently located to provide guests with access to local culture and historical sites in Lagos including the Didi and National Museums, the Murtala Muhammad Memorial Botanical Garden, Lekki Conservation Centre and Lagos Zoo to name a few.

African Sun is not a new brand in the country; the group manages four other properties including Obudu Mountain Resort, Nike Lake Resort, Amber Tinapa and Utanga Safari Lodge. All ASL hotels in Nigeria employ Nigerian citizens to ensure skills transfer and best practice of pan African hospitality The African Sun Way ensuring growth through partnerships.

For more information on The Best Western Lagos you can contact visit www.africansunhotels.com or email to pacro@africansunhotels.com

In celebration of spring and 'Secretary's Day' today, The Grace in Rosebank have decided to celebrate both occasions for a lot longer than just one day this year. So-much-so, they have launched an 'I am a corporate secretary' lunch promotion in their renowned Dining Room for the entire month of September.

Patrons of the fairer sex can enjoy an exotic non alcoholic cocktail upon arrival, a 2-course lunch offering comprising either a starter and main or main and dessert, a glass of wine to accompany your lunch and complimentary parking. All for only R99.00 per person. Lunch can be taken either on the 4th floor terrace offering breathtaking views of Rosebank or in the inviting and relaxing atmosphere of the Dining Room.

The 'I am a corporate secretary' promotion will run from 12h00 – 14h00, Monday to Friday until 30 September 2010. To qualify for this promotion, ladies will need to produce their business card upon arrival, advising they would like to participate in this promotional lunch. All business cards will be placed in a competition box and a draw will take place every Friday at 14h00, to win a 3-course dinner for 2 people in the Dining Room.

Pre-booking is essential, contact the Grace on Tel: +27 011 280 7200.