Meikles targets UNWTO summit

By The Southern Eye | Jul. 16, 2013

LISTED diversified group Meikles says it’s on course to meet the August deadline for the completion of its $8,5 million refurbishment projects ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly set for the same month.

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Meikles managing director Karl Snater told Southern Eye Business yesterday that hotel refurbishments were 90% complete and expected to be finalised by end of this month.

“The hotel refurbishment project is expected to be complete by July end,” Snater said. The hospitality group embarked on renovating its hotel in April last year, as it joined the rest of industry players in preparing for the coming UNWTO assembly set for August 24 to 29.

The refurbishment involved refashioning of 135 north-wing bedrooms and bathrooms and advancement of the air conditioning plant for both wings, among other changes.

Snater said the upgrading of the establishment is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the hospitality group in line with local industry objective of improving quality of products and services.

Most of the country’s hoteliers embarked on upgrading their facilities in preparation of the forthcoming UNWTO assembly. Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) also refurbished its A’Zambezi River Lodge at a cost $6 million. RTG is now focusing on soft refurbishments and facelift projects for the Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel which will include replacement of old air conditioners.

The tourism industry continues on a rebound and is expected to contribute 15% to gross domestic product by 2015 with the coming UNWTO assembly expected to further improve the country’s image.

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UNWTO is one of the largest global gatherings of tourism executives, policy makers, academics and researchers and is expected to place Zimbabwe under the international spotlight and improve the growth of the sector.

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