IFA Hotels & Resorts and Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) have taken their alliance further into Africa with a new beach resort on the island of Zanzibar. Construction is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2006. IFA and KHI have appointed Swiss hotel operator Movenpick Hotels & Resorts to manage their new resort on the island of Zanzibar. The resort will be opened under the name “Movenpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar”. President of Movenpick, Jean Gabriel Peres, said: “We are confident that our expertise and commitment to excellence will combine to make Movenpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar one of the most sought-after exotic destinations on the east coast of Africa.” According to Sarmad Zok, KHI’s ceo, the new resort is a massive step into a continent with great tourism potential. “We have a strong presence in Africa. We are keen to continue to participate in the growth of quality tourism in the region,” he said. Upon completion, the resort will have 220 rooms. One of the resort’s attractions will be the water sports facilities, which include windsurfing, boating, fishing and diving. Leisure areas will include spas, two main swimming pools and a gymnasium. There will also be an on-site medical clinic, which will employ a full-time doctor. Shamin Chibba (shaminc@nowmedia.co.za)
