By Xolile Bhengu

Dubai has its eye on exclusive resort developments around Africa

Dubai World Africa has announced a $70-million (R534-million) investment to build a luxury beach hotel in Comoros, in the Indian Ocean.

The state-owned company with interests ranging from real estate to ports, said the beach resort would occupy the space of Sun International’s recently demolished Le Galawa Hotel, situated near the country’s capital Moroni.

In addition to foreign contractors, local entrepreneurs would participate in the project ensuring local economy benefits from the development, the firm said .

Dubai World Africa, which opened its Cape Town offices in August last year, said the Comoros investment was part of its many plans to invest in South Africa and Africa.

The company’s marketing and public relations manager, Shadleigh Roscoe, said the 150 room and suites in the resort would each be bigger than 45m².

Roscoe said 22.5hectares adjacent to the resort would be set aside for the building of 13 upscale residential villas and townhouses.

He said the beach hotel was planned for completion by 2010.

“The Comoros used to be among the favourite holiday destinations for South Africans until the late 1990s.

“We want to bring the islands back on the map as an alternative destination for South Africans and international tourists,” Roscoe said.

He added that the company, owners of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and the Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate and Spa, would continue to seek partnerships with key stakeholders in African countries.

Dubai World Africa will work with the Comoros government to develop a tourism plan for the country.

The Indian Ocean Comoro cluster islands are located between the Mozambique channel and Madagascar. The country is made up of four main islands — Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjuan and Mayotte.

Source: Business Times