18 Jun 2017

The Cresta Marakanelo Group has opened another multi-million three star hotel in Maun with 83 rooms including a presidential suit and two fully equipped conference rooms.

The hotel, which stands in the confluence of Thamalakane River in Matapaneng ward, started operating last week and is expected to create close to 100 jobs upon full operation.

Speaking in an interview during the official opening of Cresta Maun last Wednesday, the hotel’s general manager, Mr Ian Ririe said they found it worthwhile to tap into the market in Maun and open a hotel.

He said the hotel would contribute to the local economy considering that it had created 78 direct jobs and 20 indirect jobs. Furthermore, he said they made an effort to source goods locally as a way of supporting local businesses.

Mr Ririe noted that services such as carpentry, security and cleaning would be done by local companies.

He also noted that Cresta had been in the hospitality industry for a long time and that it had a lot of experience in the industry.     

“We have the highest number of occupants and we are confident that the Maun market is going to work for us,” said Mr Ririe, who added that the hotel was expected to attract local and international customers.

“We also know that competition is tough, but we would do everything in our power to be worthy of the high standards we have set for ourselves,” he explained.

Mr Ririe said they have used their two tier strategy where they have two Cresta hotels in an area. He said one was luxurious while the other was budget orientated, and that the hotels were not competing against each other.

The hotel’s head of sales and marketing, Mr Patrick Chivese said the opening of the second Cresta hotel in Maun was a sign that the Cresta Marakanelo Group was committed to the development of Nhabe region.

“We believe we are going to significantly contribute to the fortunes of this region and make all of us proud,” he said.

Mr Chivese said the Cresta Marakanelo Group of hotels were the largest hotel chain in Botswana and the fastest growing hotel chain in Southern Africa.

“Our strength within Botswana is our location or position,” explained the hotel’s head of sales and marketing. BOPA