By Adam Ihucha, Arusha

Serena Hotels will invest $7 million (about Sh15.3 billion) this year to transform properties in Tanzania in efforts to maintain standards.

The planned software and hardware infrastructural improvements for Serena hotels in the northern and southern Tanzania would cost $3 million while the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel facelift will cost $4 million, according to the Serena Hotels managing director in East Africa, Mr Mahmud Jan Mohamed.

“In 2016, the management will, in a phased manner, implement improvements wherever possible and at every guest touch point to ensure that guests are aware that Serena Hotels continues to maintain standards despite the challenges facing the tourism industry,” Mr Mohamed told tour operators here yesterday.

It will also refurbish rooms for its safari lodge camps in northern and southern Tanzania and build swimming pools at Mbuzi Mawe Serena camp and Lake Duluti Serena Hotel.

 The company will also add a conference facility and six rooms at Lake Duluti Serena Hotel. Detailed designs are being worked on for Zanzibar Serena Hotel’s redevelopment and upgrade to cover the arrival experience, lobby, guest rooms, terrace restaurant and Maisha Spa.

“The management team will continue to guide and manage the projects in a sensitive manner to ensure no disruption to guest services,” he assured tour operators.

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators chief executive officer, Mr Sirili Akko commended Serena hotels for its contribution in East African tourism industry growth.

The hotel chain is available in 6 countries in the Eastern Africa region that encompass Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar.

SERENA-HOTELS