Swiss-Belhotel International signed a management agreement with Zanzibar Crown Hotel and Resort Limited to operate the beachfront Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar, opening next year.

This marks the group’s debut in Tanzania and with it, East Africa which is currently witnessing a large demand for quality hotels.

Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India for Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “We are very excited to expand our footprint in Africa with a historic and vibrant destination like Zanzibar. It is an extremely significant development for us, being our first in East Africa which is the continent’s most lucrative market for hotels. Zanzibar is a leading holiday destination. The number of tourists visiting the island has been consistently growing at 8-10% a year for the past decade, resulting in exceptional performance by hotels, which places us in a very buoyant market. With its stunning coastal location, Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar is being tailored to provide its guests outstanding comfort and value, with an enriching experience.”

Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar boasts 125 rooms with views of the Indian Ocean.  The hotel will have a wide range of facilities and entertainment activities to serve the varied needs of its guests. On site will be an all-day-dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a banquet hall, a beach lounge, kids pool and kids club, swimming pool, spa and health club and a variety of watersports.

Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar is being developed at an investment of US$25m (€21.61m) on the prime Indian Ocean coastline, just 3km from Abedi Amani Karume International Airport, and 7km from the Wonders Palace, Stone Town and Forodhani Gardens.