Arthur Gillis has carved a spectacular career in the hospitality sector over the course of more than four decades. From humble beginnings as a tour guide on an ostrich farm, to the building, and heading up Protea Hotels, who became the largest hotel group in South Africa employing over 16 000 people by the time it was sold. He has seen it all when it comes to the hospitality industry.

The cherry on top of a great career, was when Protea sold the Marriot Hotel Group is one of the largest Foreign Direct Investment deals in recent years Arthur’s no-nonsense and candid approach to business and life is legendary, and it comes through very clearly in this conversation I had with him recently. He touches on the many lessons he learned over the years, his observations of where the tourism industry and the country is finding itself and the many opportunities that still exist for new entrepreneurs through what he coins “spectacular customer service.”..is inspirational.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Arthur Gillis