Minor International goes on safari
BANGKOK – Minor International (MINT), developer of Anantara Resorts, has taken its first step into East Africa with a US$12 million deal with a luxury safari operator.
Based in Tanzania, Elewana Africa owns and operates a collection of luxury lodges.
Elewana’s properties include: Serengeti Migration Camp located in the Serengeti, a World Heritage site and one of the continent’s largest ecosystems; Tarangire Tree Tops, with its tree-house style rooms built on wooden decks around the trunks of enormous baobab and marula trees; and Arusha Coffee Lodge.
Under the agreement, MINT will acquire a 50 percent stake in the group during a strong expansion phase that will see the addition of six new properties to the Elewana portfolio by 2011.
Elewana’s principal promoter, Karim Wissanji, will retain a 50 percent stake and remain as chief executive of the new company.
Elewana’s near-term plan includes the development of a new property near the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage site, and three high-end, smaller properties in unique destinations in Tanzania.
Elewana’s expansion plans also include a new city hotel in Stone Town, Zanzibar and a luxury beach facility on the private island of Kiweni located in the Zanzibar Archipelago.
In the longer term, expansion into Kenya is planned.
William Heinecke, CEO of Minor International, said, “Elewana’s strengths include its property locations, its brand reputation and its ability to offer distinctive safari experiences.
Ian Jarrett
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