Protea Hotels by Marriott will open the largest operating hotel in the brand’s stable in Bonanza Estate, Lusaka.

This strengthens its partnership with Zambian business giant, Union Gold Zambia. “We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Protea Hotels for the past 17 years, and look forward to the expansion of our association through the development of this new property,” says Chairman of Union Gold Zambia, Mark O’Donnell. He believes that the country has, for many years, been under-serviced in its tourist infrastructure roll-out, but that the new venture will feed into the rising demand for quality lodging in a country that has huge potential for both business and leisure tourism.

The 241-room resort-style hotel will offer food and beverage services, conferencing venues, spa and recreational facilities, as well as a standalone 2 000-seat amphitheatre, which Vice-President of Protea Hotels by Marriot, Marriott International, Middle East and Africa, Volker Heiden believes will attract mega events into the city.

Another major attraction to the hotel will be the 18-hole golf course designed by world-renowned golf course designer, Peter Matkovich, which is set to attract leisure golf enthusiasts, and become a destination for major international golf tournaments.

Bonanza Estate is close to the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, and Multi-Facility Economic Zone – a collective of industrial zones for both export- and domestic-oriented industries. This initiative was launched in 2005 by the Zambian and Japanese governments to attract significant domestic and foreign direct investment to Zambia through a strengthened policy and legislative environment.

Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2019, with completion aimed for two years later.