02 Mar 2015

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) Mr Tshekedi Khama says Cresta Maun Hotel will improve the stature of Maun as a tourism hub.

Officiating at the ground breaking of Cresta Maun Hotel on February 25 Minister Khama commended Cresta’s growth strategy, which he said would aid Maun’s transformation from a village to an economic zone in the Ngamiland District.

“As the government continues to encourage the development of capacities in the villages in order to accelerate, deepen and expand the economic growth development, initiatives such as this one fit well in that aspiration,” he said.

Minister Khama said the hotel, which is anticipated to create at least 100 jobs for Batswana will help fight against unemployment, which leads to poverty and noted that it required contributions from the private sector to be tackled.

He pointed that it was worth noting that Cresta has partnered with private investors who shared values and a vision to contribute to the government’s intensified efforts in making tourism an engine for growth in Botswana.

Minister Khama said he hoped with the development of Cresta Maun Hotel, many tourists who normally fly by Maun as the getaway to the Delta will lodge in Maun and appreciate the culture.

For his part, The Cresta Marakanelo Hotel Managing Director, Mr Tawanda Makaya said the development of Cresta Hotel Maun signified growth of the Cresta brand as well as the development of the nation at large.

Mr Makaya said as Cresta, they appreciated Minister Khama’s continuous support in the past years, thus they will name the Cresta Maun Hotel’s presidential Suite Tshekedi Khama Presidential Suite to honour him.

“Cresta is the fastest growing hospitality brand in Botswana, our growth has been labelled vigorous, energetic, enthusiastic and robust,” he said.

The strategic drive to expand Cresta, he said, was developed seven years ago, which featured a series of infrastructural developments that has resulted in a revamped look of Cresta Hotels across the country such as Cresta Thapama, Cresta Lodge, Cresta Riley’s and others.

Mr Makaya said they have partnered with Rainet Safaris in the Maun Cresta Hotel project, which is expected to be completed by November 2016.

It will have 83 rooms consisting of one presidential suite, which is named after the Minister, five junior suites, 77 standard rooms and two conference facilities with a capacity to host 230. ENDS