Cresta pumps P70m into "African fingerprint"

MBONGENI MGUNI
Staff Writer | Monday June 20, 2011 00:00

 

The investment includes the P40-million Cresta Mahalapye Hotel whose groundbreaking was conducted recently.

The 65-bedroom and 200-seater conference facility will be completed in 2012, becoming Mahalapye's biggest accommodation centre. Last week, Cresta Marakanelo Managing Director Tawanda Makaya revealed that the investment was part of a strategic operational rollout designed to improve guest experience and offer five-star treatment.

He said besides the hotel, P13 million was being invested in the renovation of rooms and the restaurant at the flagship Mowana Lodge, while another P8 million was being directed towards a health and wellness spa to be run and managed by the Clarins brand.

Another P4 million is being pumped into leisure activities that involve the purchase of new game vehicles and boats for safari activities. 'The refurbishment does not merely consist of new dcor and suites,' Makaya explained.

'Every area of a guest's experience through the lodge and grounds has been addressed to offer a five-star journey. 'The African Fingerprint promise punctuates a unique journey and provides the background for an unforgettable experience.'

The latest investment follows similar programmes in recent years after the hotel group refurbished the President Hotel and Cresta Lodge in Gaborone that collectively cost P45 million. Other properties such as Cresta Botsalo in Palapye, Cresta Rileys in Maun and Cresta Thapama in Francistown were similarly refurbished.

Established in 1987, Cresta Marakanelo operates eight hotels countrywide with 724 rooms under management, excluding the under-development Cresta Mahalapye. The group's revenues jumped 12.6 percent to P95.6 million for the half-year ended December 2010, despite poor business over the World Cup and higher operating costs.