Cresta, BOPEU to build hotel in Gantsi
Boniface Keakabetse | Wednesday August 3, 2016 15:34
Speaking at here recently, Cresta Marakanelo head of sales and marketing, Patrick Chivese said Gantsi, as a fast growing township has an acute shortage of accommodation, which creates potential for hotel business.
He revealed that the groundbreaking of the project is expected to take place early next year after the completion of requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
However, Chivese could not reveal further details about the development, stating that the deal was still at an infancy stage.
Gantsi has acute shortage of accommodation with existing facilities in the area failing to meet the demand, especially when big events like the annual Gantsi Agricultural Show are taking place. According to Chivese, the conferencing business in Gantsi township has a lot of unexplored potential.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the Cresta Maun Resort that is under construction in Matlapaneng ward will open for business early 2017. He said the project is behind schedule by a month, noting, however, that they still expect the project to be handed over around November or December this year.
“We intend to commence staff recruitment and training for opening in 2016. I can assure that the project will be operational when the tourism peak season starts next year,” he said. Cresta anticipates the facility to be rated four- or five-star, with 83 rooms, a presidential suite named after tourism minister, Tshekedi Khama, who officiated its groundbreaking, five junior rooms and 77 standard rooms.
“The facility is accompanied by two conference facilities with capacity to host 230 (people). Cresta Maun is anticipated to create 100 jobs,” he said. Chivese further said the hotel will complement the Okavango Delta and that it will improve tourists’ stay in Maun.
He noted that Cresta Maun Resort is an up market facility and that the idea is to have a five-star or four-star facility.
He said they realised that Maun just serves as a getaway to the Okavango Delta, which has better high-end facilities because of lack of superior facilities in Maun targeting the premier international travellers.
Chivese further explained that Maun resort will bring Cresta Hotels in Botswana to 11, adding that the group has footprint in Francistown, Kasane, Mahalapye, Palapye, and Phikwe, Gaborone, Maun and Jwaneng.