Benus Trade and Invest is moving to acquire Forever Resorts South Africa, bringing one of the country’s established resort operators under new ownership as interest in the local tourism and hospitality market continues.

The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the transaction without conditions, saying the deal is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market. The commission also found no significant public interest concerns.

The deal puts Forever Resorts’ portfolio of resorts and lodges in focus, including Warmbaths in Bela-Bela, Limpopo. The resort is known for its natural hot springs and has long been a popular getaway for visitors from Gauteng and other parts of South Africa.

The transaction is also before the Competition Tribunal as a large merger, with the case listed as Benus Trade and Invest and Forever Resorts SA.

Warmbaths anchors Forever Resorts portfolio

Warmbaths is among Forever Resorts’ best-known properties. Its hot springs can produce up to 22,000 litres of water an hour at temperatures of about 53 degrees Celsius, while the resort offers hotels, chalets and lodges for holidaymakers.

The property also has a hydro and spa, conference facilities, children’s play areas and activities such as ziplining, trampolining and ATV rides.

Accommodation prices vary by season, with two-bedroom chalets ranging from about R1,660($100.07) to R3,470($217.03) a night, according to the company’s published rates.

Resort group spans key tourism markets

Forever Resorts operates nine resorts and three lodges across South Africa, with properties in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape and Free State.

Its locations offer accommodation, conference venues, recreational facilities and eco-tourism activities.

Several properties are located away from major cities, giving visitors access to activities such as game drives, camping and outdoor recreation. Some resorts also cater to conferences and weddings, adding business events to their tourism offering.

Benus expands into hospitality

Benus has a relatively limited public profile but is part of a group with interests across healthcare, information and communication technology, power and energy, mining, logistics and infrastructure.

The Competition Commission described it as a conglomerate operating across those sectors.

Forever Resorts has roots in the former Aventura state-owned tourism business. Eight resorts in the current portfolio were previously owned by Aventura before being sold to Forever Siyonwaba Resorts in 2003.

The commission’s approval means the transaction does not raise competition or significant public-interest concerns, clearing an important regulatory step as Benus seeks to take control of the resort business.