TUI Group continues its growth roadmap in its hotel segment with an expansion of its long-haul portfolio. Through the acquisition of a resort in East Africa’s island of Zanzibar, the world’s leading tourism group has complemented its portfolio in the Indian Ocean. The ‘Dream of Zanzibar‘ hotel will be operated by TUI as of now. In this context, all existing reservations will be taken over and honoured. In the 2019/20 Winter season, the hotel will then be repositioned as TUI Blue Zanzibar. With the takeover of the resort designed in the African-Arab architectural style, the new lifestyle hotel brand will make its debut establishing its concept focused on authentic experiences within the holiday region in a long-haul destination.
“In delivering our growth roadmap, we are increasingly looking for holiday destinations facilitating profitable year-round operation due to their consistently warm climate,” said TUI Blue Managing Director Artur Gerber. “The ‘Dream of Zanzibar‘ hotel already features a very good occupancy rate and high customer satisfaction levels. The destination also features a wide range of cultural influences and excursion options. These are optimum conditions enabling us to create a unique holiday experience for our guests with our new hotel brand.”
The island off Tanzania’s coast is renowned for its spices, white beaches and cultural diversity. Attractive excursion destinations also include Stone Town, the historical old part of Zanzibar City, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The destination in the Indian Ocean is increasingly becoming a trending destination, not only for beach holidays after a safari trip. Alongside TUI Blue Zanzibar. TUI Group will open another hotel in the island this winter season, the Riu Palace Zanzibar.
For a number of years, TUI Care Foundation is also active in Tanzania. Since 2015, the Foundation has teamed up with the local Kawa Training Centre to offer young people from Zanzibar the opportunity to undergo training to become tour guides. The programme offers the participants the chance to obtain professional skills, opening up new job prospects in tourism.