Tsogo Sun’s US$30-million vote of confidence

Tsogo Sun’s decision to invest US$30 million in its beachfront Southern Sun Maputo hotel is a “clear message that we believe in the future growth of the Mozambican economy,” says general manager Bruce Chapman. The hotel was closed for four months as construction crews added 111 rooms and new conference facilities. At the same time, the existing 158 rooms were refurbished to the same standard as the new rooms, the restaurant was expanded and the lobby and back-of-house facilities upgraded. The very popular bar area – one of the favourite venues for informal business meetings and after-work drinks – has been doubled in size and now has a deck overlooking the Indian Ocean. According to Richard Weilers, chief operating officer of Tsogo Sun Hotels, the company made the investment because of the continued growth in the Mozambican gross domestic product (GDP). Mozambique is expected to grow by 8.5% in 2014 and 8.2% in 2015, according to the African Economic Outlook website. “It makes sense to embrace the opportunities and invest in Mozambique, with its growing economy and its attractiveness to South Africans as well as international travellers,” he says. Southern Sun Maputo is helping to promote tourism to the city. A beach cleaning machine from Connecticut in America is used to clean the beach in front of the hotel every day. “We’re not just taking ownership of the hotel, but of the beach as well, which we believe falls under our care,” said Weilers. CAPTION The recently refurbished Southern Sun Maputo Hotel.