CRESTA OASIS Hotel which went under a year-long refurbishment and renovation exercise which chewed about $3.5 million has been re-launched with pomp and funfair.
The hotel which is about 44 years old has been one of the most important hospitality and conferencing establishment in Harare hosting guests from various walks of life.
Speaking at the re-launch of the hotel, Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira applauded the Cresta Group and urged other stakeholders in the tourism sector to follow suit.
“The confidence that has been shown by Cresta Hotels in the tourism sector in particular and the country in general, through this major renovation project is highly commendable and should be emulated by other operators.
“May I, therefore, call upon travel and tourism operators across Zimbabwe to upgrade their physical infrastructure to meet the expected steady increase in tourist arrivals in this coming year? We need to make the sector highly competitive in comparison with other destinations, not just in this region, but across the world,” she said.
Most hotels in Zimbabwe are undergoing renovations and refurbishment with a bid to have a fresh and attractive look that will mirror the country’s status in the tourism sector as the best place to visit in 2019.
Minister Mupfumira added that the refurbishment of Cresta Oasis is a major milestone in the restoration of Harare’s CBD and also the city’s efforts of reviving its Sunshine City status.
The minister said the government is ready and willing to support the tourism sector and that players in the industry should take advantage of the facilities such as the duty exemption and the US$15 million tourism facility availed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
“The government, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, also availed a US$15-million dollar tourism facility for capitalization and recurrent expenditure. I urge the industry to take advantage of such facilities and invest for growth and development of the sector.
“Furthermore, I would like to assure you that the government is committed to supporting the tourism sector in every way it can. In this regard, I commit my Ministry to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to unlock its full potential under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to once again congratulate the leadership of the Cresta Group of Hotels for this momentous occasion. It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare the newly refurbished Cresta Oasis Hotel and Apartments officially launched,” she said.
Cresta Oasis Hotel places emphasis on its African roots, seen most especially in its use of Zimbabwe cuisine and cuisine from other parts of Africa in its food and beverage offering. This has made it one of the most popular places in town.-
