What building of Marriott hotel in Serengeti means

JW Marriott Luxury is expected to open its doors to mostly high-end tourists from all corners of the world following an agreement signed on Thursday between Marriott International, Inc., and Delaware Investment Limited, which is a local outfit in the industry.

“We are delighted to partner with Delaware Investment Limited for this landmark project in the Serengeti, an exciting new destination for the brand.

“This also signifies our growing commitment to offering enriching experiences for our guests,” said Jenni Benzaquen, SVP, Brand Portfolio Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Marriott International.

Mr Rishen Patel, the owner of Delaware Investment Limited, said during the signing; “It’s a very exciting moment for us to collaborate with Marriott International to debut such a prestigious brand in one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in the world.”

However, contacted by The Citizen, Mr Patel said, “Visitors believe in certain brands. They will come in droves once they are aware of the presence of Marriott facilities in Tanzania.”

The proposed investment has been welcomed by the tourism industry captains in the country, who say it will boost the number of visitors.

A senior official of the Tourism Directorate in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism said recently that an influx of tourists has led to a shortage of rooms there.

But a wildlife ecologist said he does not foresee any conflict with the increased number of lodges within the vast park boundaries or in adjacent areas.

“There are areas where construction of such facilities is not allowed, and there are other areas where construction will have no harm to nature”, he said on condition of anonymity.

However, Tembo Pilipili Programme (TPP) director general, Dr Alex Changa, said all national parks have a limited number of hotels.

“It is a normal practice to have hotels in national parks, unless they are too big to compromise the park’s ecosystem,” he said.

An hotelier and chair of the region’s business chamber based in Arusha, Mr Walter Maeda said; “Marriott is a global brand in the hospitality industry. Its imprint in the Serengeti will pull in more high-class visitors.”

Mr Maeda, who doubles as director of the Arusha-based Golden Rose Hotels, said hotel investments, no matter from which group, are good for the economy at a time when the industry is recovering from Covid-19 impact.

Mr Andrew Malalika, the director of Jackpot Tours and Safaris, said Marriott was a global brand that could sell Tanzania in the United States. The US has been the leading source market for tourists to Tanzania.

For his part, the national parks spokesperson, Commissioner William Mwakilema, said he was unaware that the company, Delaware Investment Limited, was involved in the Marriott project in the Serengeti.

“I know Delaware Investment Limited requested investment land that was provided after an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),” he said over the phone.

He said the project’s viability will depend on the investor’s targeted clients and the level of promotion done by investors in different parts of the world.

Expected to open in 2026, the lodge will be situated within the Serengeti National Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most renowned safari destinations in Africa.

The national park is also home to endless plains, the incredible Great Migration, and some of the largest herds on the planet.

JW Marriott Serengeti Lodge is expected to offer 30 private suites, including two presidential suites, all of which will benefit from their own swimming pool and deck area.