Ethiopian Airline has announced plans to construct its second five-star hotel in Addis Ababa at an investment cost of $150 million (R2.1bn).

Abraham Tesfaye, Ethiopian Airlines Group manager Infrastructure Planning and Development announced the reports and said that the hotel is being built adjacent to the first hotel a stone throw away from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The hotel will feature 637 guest rooms, restaurants, bars, conference hall, swimming pool, fitness center and a basement parking which can accommodate 550 cars. Chinese construction firm, AVIC has conducted the design work and will also undertake the construction of the second hotel.

The first Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, was built at a cost of $65 million (R919 million). The hotel has eight floors with a total floor area of 42 000sqm and 373 guest rooms. The hotel features three restaurants, a Chinese restaurant, an Ethiopian restaurant and a European restaurant, a lobby, executive roof top and a jazz club. 27 of the guest rooms are suites.

“The hotel will play a significant role in boosting the tourism sector and making Addis Ababa a conference hub,” said Busera Awel, VP Strategic Planning and Alliances at Ethiopian Airlines.

Both hotels are catering for not only Ethiopian Airlines passengers but it is open for the public.

“The hotel is hosting local, regional and international conferences. It is an ideal venue for company staff and management meetings, weddings and other events,” said Awel.

When the second hotel is completed Ethiopian Skylight Hotel would have 1,000 guest rooms.  Ethiopian government has an aim of making Ethiopia a top tourist destination in Africa and increase the number of tourists streaming into the country to 10 million.