Dubai-based Emaar group signs deal to manage Mara resort

A Dubai-based property developer, Emaar Properties PJSC has official made its entry to Kenya after signing a management contract that will see it run the operations of an exclusive resort about to be completed in Maasai Mara.

Emaar Hospitality Group brokered the deal to manage the resort with its developer, The African Dream Collection Ltd which has been working on the construction of an ecologically friendly resort next to the world famed site.

“We believe that The Address Hotels + Resorts has the strongest competencies in operating our new Maasai Mara resort to the high standards that we target to provide tourists from around the world,” said the management of African Dream Collection.

The group will run the property under its recently established brand, The Address Hotels + Resorts. This brings to five the hotels the group is operating after three of them were set up in Dubai and another one in Egypt.

“The new management agreement of The Address Hotels + Resorts builds on the hub status of Dubai, connecting the fast-growing African markets with the rest of the world,” said Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.

“With Emirates Airline linking Dubai to Nairobi and other African markets, Emaar’s newest expansion to Kenya will further strengthen business exchange as well as boost the tourism sector. Our expansion is a perfect fit to our strategy of exploring growth opportunities in key emerging markets globally. ”

Emaar joins a handful of big players in the industry who have set their eyes on Africa as the next investment growth avenue for their businesses.

This year the hospitality sector in Kenya has been greeted with much excitement as it welcomes interest from more players to set shop in the country.

READ: Global hotels target Kenya’s tourism sector

Tuesday, Accor, a revered player in the hotel industry placed a figure on the number of hotels they will commission in Africa in the next five years under its hotel brand, ibis.

The Accor -a French hotel group- which has keen interest in the continent, revealed that it will set up 30 additional hotels in Africa bringing its total to 114.

“Indeed, our strong historic presence along with the economic growth experienced on the continent, offers many opportunities of expansion for all our brands with a special emphasis on ibis to meet growing domestic and regional demand,” said Jean-Jacques Dessors, chief operating officer Africa & Middle East during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) that opened Tuesday in Nairobi, Kenya.

Commenting on the Emaar’s move, Tourism minister, Danson Mwazo was optimistic that the country would profit from the practices they will bring on board and lauded it as a positive response to the government’s effort of inviting investors.

“Emaar Group has thrived in Dubai and our country will benefit tremendously from the expertise, international standards and practices that they bring. The group has responded favourably to our country’s call for more investments in tourism and the Maasai Mara venture is a timely boost to the sector,” said the minister.

Kenya Tourism Board has been calling for investors in the lucrative sector to fill up the demand for room capacity among other investment areas.

READ: KTB includes investment in list of offers for new visitors

The Address Maasai Mara will be referred to as Enkereri Mara according to Emaar.

“The Address Maasai Mara will stand apart as a unique resort in our portfolio designed to uphold the highest standards in environment-friendliness. All operations will be aligned to provide our guests a lifestyle experience that builds on their expectations of enjoying nature at its pristine best at the Masaai Mara National Reserve,” added Josef Kufer, chief operating officer Emaar Hospitality Group.