The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga, Senior Business Reporter
PLANS to rebrand African Sun-owned Mutare Amber Hotel to a Holiday Inn division are now at an advanced stage with the exercise completion date set for end of the year, an official said.
In an interview, Head Holiday Inn Divisions in Zimbabwe, Mr Tich Hwingwiri said a reasonable investment has been put in to meet the International Hotel Group (IHG) company specifications on the Holiday Inn franchise.
Mr Hwingwiri revealed that Holiday Inn, a global brand, connects one to about 5 000 hotels worldwide hence the decision to rebrand Amber Hotel to attract international visitors.
“The Group (African Sun) has invested in meeting certain specifications relating to fire and safety related areas which are a prerequisite to the brand. Our aim is to see through this process by November and we are planning to rebrand by end of the year,” said Mr Hwingwiri.
Speaking on the refurbishments being made to the hotel, Mr Hwingwiri said the rooms were being redone and uplifted as well as the restaurants and all public areas. He said a mock up room has been completed.
“The whole process is now at an advanced stage as we are striving to meet the international standards that are synonymous with Holiday Inn facilities worldwide. As part of this group, we will be able to appeal to global travellers as part of the network. If you cannot be a brand, you will not survive in this industry,” he said.
According to Mr Hwingwiri, the IHG determines how the brand must be run and that all works have to be done as per specifications of the Holiday Inn brand with evaluations and inspections conducted annually at the facility.
He said a bigger conference room has been built at the Mutare hotel as the group was now targeting the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (MICE) market.
Players in the sector estimate that Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry has potential to generate over $100 million annually from its Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) MICE tourism generates $23 billion regionally each year and is responsible for generating 45,8 percent of revenues in the hospitality industry.
The rebranding of Amber Hotel to Holiday Inn Mutare will bring to three, the Holiday Inn divisions in the country including Holiday Inn Harare and Bulawayo.
@robertakatunga
