Protea to build new hotel in Lilongwe

THE Protea Hotel group is building its second hotel – Protea Hotel Lilongwe - in Malawi. Joining the Premier Protea Hotel Ryalls, the new hotel will be situated in the Lilongwe business centre, soon to become the centre of Malawi’s government, which should bring new business travel to this centre, says Aart van der Heijden, Protea Hotels regional director for Malawi. Construction is set to begin early 2005 and will take about two years to complete. The hotel will be modelled on the same format as the Ryalls property, offering the business market 120 premier bedrooms; a separate conference centre; a business centre, a gym and fitness centre and a restaurant and bar. In addition to the new hotel, Air Malawi will be increasing its frequencies between Johannesburg and Lilongwe. The airline is also presently negotiating direct flights between London and Lilongwe, starting early next year. (Natalia Thomson)