SANDTON - The fully booked signs are going up at hotels in Sandton ahead of the G20 Summit next weekend.
The event, which brings together leaders and business people from the world’s 20 biggest economies, takes place in Johannesburg. It is the first time that South Africa has chaired the powerful economic block and this will be the first year a leader’s summit is held on African soil.
It’s expected to generate millions of rand for the local economy with thousands of foreign visitors in the city.
While US President Donald Trump has boycotted the event, other world leaders are expected to attend. So too will leaders and dignitaries from several other countries who have been invited to the event by South Africa.
Don Jesman, General Manager of the NH Hotel in Sandton, said the G20 had transformed Sandton.
"It's not only our hotel but Sandton as a whole. The focus on Sandton's been quite amazing to see. The upliftment of the area has been great."
The NH Hotel, part of the Minor Group brand, boasts 329 rooms and expects to be fully booked throughout the G20 period.
Jesman said delegates from over eight countries will stay at the hotel, including senior ministers. Beyond the immediate summit dates, the economic impact extends well beyond the official G20 weekend.
"G20 is a short few days starting with a couple of days ahead of the weekend. But most of the delegations are here even weeks before and for some days after the leaders summit. So, it really stretches for quite a nice part of November."
With so many different cultures and culinary tastes, chefs at the hotel have been kept busy.
"Everyone has their creature comforts. As much as people like to travel, they want what they're used to when they travel," said Jesman.
“The hotel's approach has been to create fusion menus that honour guests' cultural preferences while showcasing South African cuisine.” Some embassies have embedded chefs from their own countries within the hotel's kitchen.
"Some of the embassies that are with us have got their own kitchen within our kitchen. So, they've got some of their chefs preparing some of the foods.
“This collaboration has created an unprecedented cultural exchange, with menus representing a fusion of foods between what their cuisine is and some of our ideas coming together."
The hotel's breakfast service alone demonstrates their commitment to variety featuring over 160 food items.
"Breakfast is the main meal of the day for a lot of people because they're on the go. And we like to look after guests knowing that that's where they'll start their day."
Chef Frank Mchube is one of those responsible for the meals.
"Every guest is a VIP but this time it's at a higher level. We do what we do best all the time. We treat everybody the same because every guest is important".
The tourism sector views the G20 as a pivotal moment for South Africa's international profile.
Sean Bradley from Travel Wings, who serves on the Department of Tourism's National Tourism Stakeholder Forum, says about 40 heads of state would arrive in South Africa for the summit.
"This is a great opportunity for South Africa to showcase our beautiful landscape, everything that we have to offer from our tourism treasures through to the magical people of the destination and also the kind of infrastructure that we actually offer here."