Major hotel chain set to open branded properties in key Tanzania tourist sites

After two years in the hotel business in Tanzania, Hyatt Hotels chain is set to open two branded hotels in key tourist sites – one in the northern tourist capital of Arusha and another in the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar.

Reports from Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Chicago, United States, said the chain will increase its business in Tanzania after signing an agreement with ASB Holdings Limited for two Hyatt-branded hotels in Tanzania.

The company will open a branded Hyatt Regency in Arusha and Park Hyatt in Zanzibar. Hyatt Regency is currently operating Tanzania’s oldest and biggest accommodation facility, the Kilimanjaro Hotel.

Hyatt Regency entered Tanzania in 2011 to run the once Kempinski Kilimanjaro Hotel, which is now operating under the brand of Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro.

Expected to open in 2016, Hyatt Regency Arusha will be a 144-room hotel occupying a 29 acre-site in central Arusha, a city in northern Tanzania and home to the East African Community headquarters, an intergovernmental organization.

Located in the heart of Arusha, the hotel will be in close proximity to some of Africa’s most famous natural landscapes and national parks, including Tarangire National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro. Sources from Arusha told eTN that the newly planned Hyatt Regency Arusha will occupy a big chunk of land, once occupied by the government owned Hotel Seventy Seven (Hotel 77) which was sold to ASB Holdings Limited some years back.

Park Hyatt Zanzibar will offer 72 luxurious guestrooms, and will be located in the historic Stone Town.

The Hyatt facility in Zanzibar will have unrestricted and direct access to the beachfront for leisure travelers looking to enjoy Africa’s coastline, reports said.

“We are thrilled to work with ASB Holding Limited to expand Hyatt’s brand presence in Tanzania, one of the premier tourism destinations in Africa. We believe that the company’s experience of developing world-class hotels will help us drive preference for Hyatt’s brands in Tanzania,” said Peter Norman, senior vice president, real estate and development, for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“Tanzania has seen strong growth in the number of business and leisure travelers – the number of international visitors grew by almost a quarter to surpass one million in 2012, driving demand for hotels in the country. By building a brand presence in Tanzania, Hyatt is able to offer more choices to guests as they travel within the country,” he added.

“We are excited to work with Hyatt on Park Hyatt Zanzibar and Hyatt Regency Arusha,” said Mahmoud Gasim, a director of ASB Holding Limited.

“Hyatt is known for providing authentic hospitality to its guests and we believe the Park Hyatt and Hyatt Regency brands, coupled with the hotels’ prime locations, will deliver an exceptional hospitality experience to guests visiting Tanzania”, Gasim said.

Now, Tanzania has joined six other African destinations in Hyatt-branded hotels portfolio, and which are Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort (Egypt), Hyatt Regency Taba Heights, Hyatt Regency Casablanca (Morocco) and Hyatt Regency Johannesburg (South Africa).