PROTEA HOTELS PROKARD SURPASSES ALL OTHERS - 19 April 2006

Prokard was launched 20 years ago and secured its 100 000th member, the Cape-based Ms. Marota, this year. "I joined the Prokard on the recommendation of a friend of mine and because of the benefits that I can derive from the programme," explained Ms. Marota. Although not a frequent traveller, Ms Marota travels a fair amount as part of her job and expressed delight with her reward of free accommodation and five years membership, for being the 100 000th member.

Prokard is a status travel club that offers all frequent Protea GUESTS who become loyal members exclusive accommodation and dining privileges throughout Protea Hotels and African Pride Superior Deluxe Hotels & Lodges. "Another interesting shift is that Prokard now has over five thousand international members who are taking advantage of the programme in South Africa, as well as U.K, Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia," added Bryer.

Protea views members as being status customers and attributes the phenomenal growth and loyalty base to this attitude. They are focusing on further growing this loyalty base by turning to technology to look at one-on-one customer relationship marketing. An indication of this is the remarkable increase of members who are now booking on-line through www.proteahotels.com.

Prokard is valid in South Africa, Africa, London and Russia and adds value to GUESTS through exclusive accommodation, dining and partnership benefits. There are various Prokard options, with the Silver card giving customers a 20% discount off published rates, as well as special deals with preferred suppliers like Budget Rent-a-Car. In addition to this, for every fifteen to forty nights cardholders spend with Protea Hotels, they get varying free weekends. The Gold card includes the aforementioned benefits, as well as dining benefits.