Minor Hotel Group (MHG) has formed a strategic partnership with Sun International to own and operate a collection of eight properties across Africa.
The company has invested R679.5 million (US $63.9 million) to own a 50% stake in two properties in Zambia and between 37.5% to 80% stakes in six further properties - one each in Botswana and Namibia, along with two properties in Lesotho and Swaziland.
Of these, seven are being reflagged to MHG’s upscale Avani brand, bringing the total number of MHG properties in operation to 118 in 19 countries.
MHG will assume the hotel management, marketing and distribution of the properties under its AVANI and Anantara brands, while Sun International will continue to manage the on-property casino operations.
| Advertisement |
“Minor Hotel Group is strategically expanding its hospitality business into many regions and Africa is a key focus where we have seen substantial growth potential,” said MHG chief executive Dillip Rajakarier.
“Starting with these existing African properties, it is the intention of this new partnership to explore together other hotel and gaming opportunities that may arise in Africa and Asia, where MHG would manage the hotel component and Sun International would manage the casino component.”
The properties included in the deal are: the 173-key Royal Livingstone Hotel and the 212-key Zambezi Sun in Zambia; the 196-key Gaborone Sun in Botswana; the 158-key Lesotho Sun and 105-key Maseru Sun in Lesotho; the 149-key Royal Swazi and the 202-key Ezulwini Sun in Swaziland, and the 173-key Kalahari Sands in Namibia.
Before the completion of this deal, there were five Avani properties in operation in three countries, with a further three to be added before the end of the year.
The only hotel which will not be flagged to the new brand is the Royal Livingstone Hotel; however, it will be marketed through MHG brand Anantara’s distribution channels.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
