Gaborone Sun rebrands to Avani
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday July 7, 2015 18:04
This follows last year’s deal in which global gaming and resorts giants, Sun International divested out of four hotels in Southern Africa and sold the business to a Thailand based firm, Minor Hotel Group (MHG).
Under the terms of the P600 million deal, MHG acquired majority holding in the Gaborone Sun in Botswana, the Kalahari Sands in Namibia, the Lesotho Sun and Maseru Sun as well as the Royal Swazi and Ezulwini Sun in Swaziland.
Sun International also reduced its 100 percent stake in the Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun in Zambia to 50 percent, with MHG holding the balance.
According to the Marketing Manager, Martin de Klerk they are currently changing the name and will refurbish the hotel sometime early next year. “For now we are changing the hotel name, which will include rebranding even the name by the hotel entrance. Major refurbishments and expansions will be done early next year, which will include the rooms, casinos and the public arena,” said De Klerk.
De Klerk added that they intend to transform the hotel into a world-class state as he mentioned that they have a number of plans, which they are currently working on.
In the region, the Zambezi Sun in Zambia will be re-branded to Avani Victoria Falls Resort while Lesotho Sun and Maseru Sun are being rebranded to Avani Lesotho Hotel and Casino and Avani Maseru Hotel respectively, while the Kalahari Sands in Namibia will reflag to become Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino.
Since the partnership was formed last year, both companies’ core strengths have been leveraged with MHG assuming the hotel management, marketing and distribution of the properties, while Sun International has continued to manage the on-property casino operations.
MHG currently has about 133 hotels and resorts in 22 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean.