www.proteahotels.com

Protea Hotels has announced their entry into Uganda with a multi-million U.S Dollar hotel as part of their aggressive expansion drive on the African continent. The hotel is expected to open November 2007, in time to accommodate international delegates attending the 2007 Commonwealth Summit, being held in Kampala. "We expect support from both the corporate business and leisure markets as Uganda expects to forge a place within the geo-tourism sector, competing within the East African tourism sector," explained, said Aart van der Heijden, Protea Hotels Regional Director.

This venture has been achieved through a partnership agreement between The Simba Group of Companies and Protea Hotels. The general manager of the Hotels Division of Simba, Mr. Stuart Cook, explained, "We've signed an International Management Agreement with Protea Hotels to ensure that this hotel has a presence in the international market." He continued, saying that, "International visitors feel more confident staying with a recognized brand and a large number of corporate companies in Uganda are South African, adding to the many reasons why Protea Hotels is an ideal partner".

The 70-bedroomed Protea Hotels Kampala will be situated adjacent to Kololo Airstrip, Kampala's grounds for National and State functions and about 30 minutes from Entebbe International Airport. Overlooking the picturesque Kampala golf course, rooms will be complete with LCD screen TVs and all the modern conveniences expected from a five star international property.

Five fully equipped conference and meeting facilities include two rooms seating up to 350 delegates each and three executive boardrooms, each with a capacity of 30 delegates. All conference rooms will feature high speed internet facilities and large LCD screens.

In addition to business facilities, the hotel will include a wellness centre for the exclusive use of hotel GUESTS, a cocktail bar and coffee shop. A marquee area has been designed within the lush green gardens for top corporate functions and upmarket weddings of up to 500 GUESTS.

Protea Hotels, who were awarded the prestigious Africa's leading hotel brand at the World Travel Awards last year, has almost 35 hotels operating in Africa, outside of South Africa, including Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi amongst other. They believe that one of the main reasons why The Simba Group of Companies chose the Protea brand is the strength of their loyalty programme, currently the largest in the industry.

"We are confident that the market will respond well to this property and are taking care to provide an exclusive environment that will appeal to a GUEST choosing a boutique style hotel," concluded van der Heijden, Protea Hotels Regional Director.