Zanzibar Hotel Investment makes Rousing Comeback

Marriot International and Minor Hotels have reached an agreement with local partners to construct new hotel facilities in Zanzibar to cater for increasing tourism in the Island.

According to Rishen Patel, Managing Director of Morogoro Mishama Company, the agreement will see the introduction of Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts to the shores of Zanzibar in 2025.

Patel says that to support the growing demand for premium hospitality accommodations in Tanzania, Le Méridien Zanzibar Resort will feature 75 guestrooms and the brand’s glamourous, signature programming and experiences that will help guests discover the culture, coordinates and cuisine of the destination.

Samuel Saba, Chairman of Infinity Group says that the Minor Hotels development in Zanzibar will redefine the standard of luxury hospitality in Zanzibar.

According to him, the new-build property will feature 37 luxury suites, one presidential villa, and 73 one- and two-bedroom sea view villas with private pool.

“The resort will also include 38 one-bedroom apartments, 19 two-bedroom apartments, eight three-bedroom penthouse apartments, and five penthouses,” he said.

According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Zanzibar attracted $ 25.3 million of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI flows in 2020 compared to $90.3 million in 2019, a decrease of 72 percent.

According to Mudrick Soraga, Minister of Tourism and Heritage, the FDI stock in Zanzibar is primarily dominated by the accommodation and food services and information and communication sectors. “The two sectors attracted $961.6 million and accounted for 88.7 percent of the total stock in 2020,” he said.

The major source of FDI in a regional grouping of the OECD amounted to $74.4 million, whereas the stock was to the tune of $ 6,824 million in 2020.