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Hotels & Lodges
Hotel operators defy recession, upgrade
Posted: Tuesday May 26, 2009 6:46 AM BT
Recession or not and despite reported falling numbers of tourists, some five hotel properties in the Northern Zone are undergoing major expansion and upgrading ready for the next season.
The more than US $24 million rehabilitation project of Lake Manyara Hotel, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Lobo Wildlife Lodge and Seronera Wildlife Lodge which started late last year is also said to set stage for added stiff competition in the hotel and tourism industry in East Africa.

The major rehabilitation, upgrading and expansion project is currently being done in the four facilities that are among the 13 former state-owned hotels lined up for privatization and rehabilitation in Tanzania

The four hotels and lodges are owned by one of the largest hotel chains in the country, Hotels & Lodges (T) Limited which by end of 2006 was remitting total revenue of Tsh. 4.6 billion to State coffers.

An official statement from Hotels & Lodges (T) Ltd revealed here last week that though the hotels were bought while in dilapidated condition, the ongoing revival of the properties may even be scaled up to 'Five Star,' grades.

According to the statement, the Group's plan is to rehabilitate the hotels and lodges to a 'Five Star' standard grade that no hotel in the northern zone (or Tanzania for that matter) has.

"We have also taken the initiative to construct tarmac roads to give better access to our hotels while also improving local infrastructure," said the statement.

Apparently more than 80 percent of the rehabilitation work has been completed and as per agreement with the Parastatal Sector Reforms Commission (PSRC), the hotels and lodges have however maintained their original character and look.

"We have made the rehabilitation work as per agreement leaving all the hotels and lodges in their original decor and character and we have extensively used local hardwood (mninga) and replaced the wooden shingle which was removed by the previous operator," he said.

According to him, as of now, about US$ 24 million has been used for the rehabilitation work.

On pricing, the official said that Hotels and Lodges (T) Ltd would like to see prices going down instead of the current experience of exorbitant prices charged in the past. "Our rates are competitive, and to attract more customers, we need to make sure the prices are going down," he said.

The properties were privatized to a Mauritian investor Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd (GAPCO) in 2003 for US $15 million. The properties were formerly owned by the Tanzania government under the former state company, Tanzania Hotel Investments (TAHI).

Hotels &Lodges; (T) Ltd as a company was formed to operate the hotels.

Dubbed as 'Africa's Prime Safari Locations', the hotels and lodges include; Lake Manyara Hotel, the only hotel located on the very edge of the breathtaking escarpment of Lake Manyara National Park while Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge is perched on the rim of the Crater at about 7,500 feet above sea level.

Seronera Wildlife Lodge is strategically located in the heart of the Serengeti while Lobo Wildlife Lodge is one of the most romantic lodges in East Africa, remotely located on the north of Serengeti National Park.
 
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