Protea Hotels, one of Africa's largest hotel chains, has signed a Rwf15bn investment deal to establish a five-star hotel in the country that will boost the service sector that has seen a surge in conference tourism.
Protea Hotels, one of Africa’s largest hotel chains, has signed a Rwf15bn investment deal to establish a five-star hotel in the country that will boost the service sector that has seen a surge in conference tourism.
The deal was yesterday signed during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum that is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The 76-room resort will be constructed in Rusizi District, Western Province, and completed in 2016 under the brand "Protea Kivu Marina Resort Hotel.”
"The $22 million investment project is an excellent private-public partnership model involving seven districts that make up the Western Province as well as the Diocese of Rusizi as shareholders. It is also a landmark project for Kivu Belt region,” Yamina Karitanyi, the head of tourism and conservation at Rwanda Development Board said.
"The Kivu Belt is one of our priority areas for tourism development and diversification of seervice offering. Therefore, we welcome investors such as Protea as this partnership will benefit Rwandans directly as well as contribute to Rwanda’s competitiveness, especially in the tourism sector.”
Protea Hotels Group is now part of Marriott Hotels International, one of the leading hotels in the world that is also developing a five star Hotel in Kigali.
Other major international brands that have joined Rwanda’s tourism sector include; Radisson Blu, Radisson by Park Inn, Kempinski, Sheraton and Golden Tulip.