News / National
Marriot International to finalise US$500 million deal for Zimbabwe hotel
14 Apr 2019 at 10:05hrs | Views
GLOBAL hospitality group, Marriot International will next month finalise its US$500 million deal with a local company that will see the company constructing a boutique hotel and a riverside camp in Victoria Falls.
A boutique hotel is an intimate, design-led property which distinguishes itself from larger chain or branded hotels by providing guests with ultra-personalised service and accommodation.
This type of lodging facility gains its uniqueness through aesthetics, atmosphere, and a level of personalised service not common in larger establishments.
Marriot International has partnered a local businessman Mr Aaron Chinhara who is in the petroleum and construction industries, said the giant hospitality group's representatives who visited the country last month for a business investment meeting.
"We have got half-a-billion dollars worth of investment coming to Victoria Falls. Marriot International group representatives were in the country in March and we are set to finalise on the deal next month. Once concluded construction will start in 2020 finishing in 2022. We want to build a boutique hotel. It is a first concept in Zimbabwe that we are putting up. We are putting a world class hotel for those with more disposable income," he said.
Mr Chinhara said the investment will be a game changer in the tourism and hospitality industry and will bring a huge investment.
The investment comes at a time when Zimbabwe is dangling massive tourism investment opportunities to international markets as it seeks to tap into the deep pool of key European markets.
Good times are beckoning for Zimbabwe's tourism sector after outclassing regional destinations when the country scooped three accolades at the 2019 edition of the Pacific Travel Writers Association Awards held in Berlin, Germany.
Zimbabwe won the Sustainable Destination of the Year, Tourism Minister of the Year and International Woman Achiever of the Year.
The awards recognise excellence of organisations, nations, corporate and individuals who have played outstanding roles in transforming their industries.
A boutique hotel is an intimate, design-led property which distinguishes itself from larger chain or branded hotels by providing guests with ultra-personalised service and accommodation.
This type of lodging facility gains its uniqueness through aesthetics, atmosphere, and a level of personalised service not common in larger establishments.
Marriot International has partnered a local businessman Mr Aaron Chinhara who is in the petroleum and construction industries, said the giant hospitality group's representatives who visited the country last month for a business investment meeting.
"We have got half-a-billion dollars worth of investment coming to Victoria Falls. Marriot International group representatives were in the country in March and we are set to finalise on the deal next month. Once concluded construction will start in 2020 finishing in 2022. We want to build a boutique hotel. It is a first concept in Zimbabwe that we are putting up. We are putting a world class hotel for those with more disposable income," he said.
The investment comes at a time when Zimbabwe is dangling massive tourism investment opportunities to international markets as it seeks to tap into the deep pool of key European markets.
Good times are beckoning for Zimbabwe's tourism sector after outclassing regional destinations when the country scooped three accolades at the 2019 edition of the Pacific Travel Writers Association Awards held in Berlin, Germany.
Zimbabwe won the Sustainable Destination of the Year, Tourism Minister of the Year and International Woman Achiever of the Year.
The awards recognise excellence of organisations, nations, corporate and individuals who have played outstanding roles in transforming their industries.
Source - sundaynews
