RDC plans to revamp Protea hotel
Following the rebranding of Masa Square Hotel to Protea Hotel, RDC properties will revamp the hotel to match the image of Protea by Marriot global brand, which comprises about 120 million members across the world. RDC Properties Chief Executive Officer, Jacopo Pari said that globally, Marriot has agreed to rephrase the rollout of the
Properties Improvement Plan program which is meant to give a new vibe to the look and feel of the hotel. “It will only commence later in 2021, concentrating on the Gym, the Roof Top bars, the communal and the rooms. The design work is in progress for approval by Marriott.” Masa Square Hotel was converted in May last year into the first Protea by Marriot Hotel in Botswana. The CEO explained that the conversion came about easily with most of the Marriot physical requirements and standards of operation being easily met due to the original building having been built to international specifications. The agreement entered into was of a Franchise, which allows the Group to retain its managerial skills, guest and business network while taking full advantage of a very well-established
brand, such as the Protea and clearly of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
Bonvoy is the largest hospitality loyalty program in the world with some 120 million members globally out of which the 30 million are active travelers in southern Africa. “Whilst there are no statistics for Botswana and the Masa Square Hotel is their first Marriott in Botswana, it clearly bodes well for support into the hotel from Bonvoy members. Over and above the Bonvoy program, there is still the original Prokard program which supports travelers who come to Botswana.” He said the disruption brought by the Covid-19 pandemic will come to an end eventually. “It is felt that business is improving daily with bookings on the increase. Early indications are that both of our properties are ready for customers after coming out of a particularly limited and difficult period.”
Meanwhile, the group is currently seeking an extension from the Gambling Authority to commence development of a Casino upon the lifting of the State of Public Emergency. Pari said the plan is currently being improved by taking into consideration the latest developments in the industry and the lesson learned from the period. “The initial roll out plan for the casino will comprise a gaming offering of slot machines and gaming tables, providing patrons with a dynamic and vibrant mix of entertainment options, with a large number of the slots offering being brand new games, many of which will deliver an entirely new exciting, but affordable gaming experience to the Gaborone market.” He highlighted that the lease agreement for the Casino is comprised of two tiers with a fixed component based on the gross lettable area of the gaming floor (1,000sqm) and the office space (341sqm) and a variable rental based on a percentage of the EBITDA of the operation, thus further underpinning the entertainment vocation of the Centre and dove-tailing with the Protea Hotel Brand, 3D movie cinemas and a premier food offering.
RDC Properties Group Chairman, Guido Giachetti highlighted that across the world, the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit in the fall out as a result of the global pandemic . “We took advantage of the very low occupancy of Chobe Marina Lodge to complete the refurbishment of the rooms and improve the common areas and we stand ready to take advantage of the inevitable rebound in the market.”