Protea Hotels Partners With Union Gold Zambia Limited for Development of 241-Room Protea Hotel by Marriott Bonanza Estate, Lusaka

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South Africa, Capetown, South Africa. February 27, 2018

Protea Hotels by Marriott is strengthening its partnership with Zambian business giant, Union Gold Zambia Limited with the signing of Protea Hotel by Marriott Bonanza Estate, Lusaka. With 241 rooms, the hotel will be the largest operating hotel under the brand in the country and the brand's 9th hotel with Union Gold Zambia. Strategically located within the new upmarket lifestyle hub, the hotel will be within easy reach from the international airport and major city landmarks.

“Protea Hotel by Marriott Bonanza Estate, Lusaka will be a significant addition to our fast growing portfolio,” says Volker Heiden, Vice-President, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Marriott International, Middle East and Africa. “The signing of the hotel further strengthens our long standing partnership with Union Gold Zambia. The hotel's planned facilities are geared to provide for a range of much-needed amenities in the city - additional conferencing venues, high-end food and beverage services, and a spa.  Most exciting is the amphitheatre which will attract mega events into the city.”

According to Mark O'Donnell, Chairman of 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.  Zambia is a country with huge potential for both business and leisure tourism, yet it has for many years been under-serviced in the rollout of tourist infrastructure. Our new venture will meet the rising demand for quality lodging in the country.”

The new hotel will be located within Bonanza Estate, a newly launched estate which is set amidst the scenic environs of an 18-hole golf course designed by world renowned golf course designer Peter Matkovich. This is expected to attract major international golf tournaments and emerge as a key attraction for leisure travels and golf enthusiasts. This resort style hotel development will comprise of comprehensive food and beverage venues, conferencing, spa and recreational facilities. The hotel will also boast a standalone 2,000-seater amphitheatre, dedicated to hosting mega events and grand launches.

Bonanza Estate is set to become a new urban hub of the city, and its development ties in with the future expansion of Lusaka which will go beyond the central business district precinct. Bonanza Estate is close to the international airport and to the Multi-Facility Economic Zone - an initiative of the Zambian and Japanese governments and is set to become the new emerging centre for business.

Construction of the hotel is scheduled to commence towards the beginning of 2019 with a targeted opening two years later.

About Protea Hotels by Marriott

Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the leading hospitality brand in Africa and it is one of the most widely recognized brands on the continent with over 90 hotels throughout South Africa and seven other African countries, including Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Ghana and Uganda amongst others. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is ideal for both business and leisure travellers by offering properties in primary and secondary business centres and desirable leisure destinations.  Each hotel offers modern facilities, proactive and friendly service and consistent amenities such as full service restaurants, meeting spaces, complimentary Wi-Fi, and well-appointed rooms, ensuring global standards for a high quality, relaxed and successful stay. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is the winner of 8 Coolest Hotel Group awards in the Sunday Times Generation Next surveys, the winner of the Ask Africa South African Customer Service Award 2013 and Icon Brand 2015, and the winner of the Hotels category in the Ask Afrika 2015/2016 Youth Brands Survey.  The hotel group was bought by Marriott International in April 2014 and forms part of Marriott's global brand portfolio made up of 30 leading brands that operate more than 6,000 hotels in 122 countries. Protea Hotels by Marriott® is proud to participate in the industry's award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. For more information, visit proteahotels.com

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com.

Media Contact:

Bonny Feldman
[email protected]
(+27) 21 462-4033