DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, The Tanzanian based Bakhresa Group has appointed Verde Hotels from South Africa to develop and manage the total overhaul and upgrading of the old Mtoni Marine Hotel in Zanzibar, 2km from Stone Town. The brand new five star property will be known as Hotel Verde, Zanzibar’s greenest hotel.
“We are serious about being the leaders of the Green Economy sector and therefore we approached the developers of Africa’s Greenest Hotel, Verde Hotels to ensure that Hotel Verde Zanzibar will be the Greenest hotel in East Africa” stated Mr. Said Salim Awadh Bakhresa, Chairman of the Bakhresa Group.
Hotel Verde Zanzibar is set to take sustainable development to new heights in East Africa and become a flagship for tourism in Zanzibar and Tanzania.
Mr. Bahkresa has commissioned the Verde Hotels Group to manage the development and operate the hotel as a certified sustainable establishment that offers a carbon neutral hotel experience.
Verde Hotels will work with Estim Construction who have a strong reputation for project excellence in the East African region. Hotel Verde Zanzibar will be pursuing independent certification, utilising the Green Star rating tool from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
Verde Hotels intends to integrate sustainability into every facet of their involvement in the construction, as well as throughout the hotel’s daily operation.
Hotel Verde Zanzibar will showcase the integration of 5 star luxury and environmental best practice. The hotel will feature 142 ultra-stylish rooms, luxury suites, a spa, gym, restaurants, entertainment and marina. The contemporary design fused with local Tanzanian elements will be an attraction for local and international guests to enjoy whilst keeping to the standards and practices of responsible tourism principals.
In May 2014, Hotel Verde became the first hotel in Africa to offer a carbon neutral accommodation and conferencing experience, at no extra cost to the guest. Hotel Verde has won a number of local and international awards for its sustainable initiatives, including the Internorga Company Trendsetter award in Hamburg and the award for World’s Best City Hotel for Responsible Tourism at World Travel Market London.
“Verde Hotels is proud to have signed this management contract with the Bakhresa Group proving that going “green” is not only viable on the triple bottom line but makes good business sense” stated Samantha Annandale, CEO of Verde Hotels.
The Ethos of the Verde Group and Hotel Verde Zanzibar will align itself with a core belief of the Bakhresa Group “ in continuously improving environmental performance through efficient operations, reduced impacts, natural resource and cost savings.”