Malawi’s Presidential Hotel opens September

Minister of Information, Tourism and Civic Education Kondwani Nankhumwa says Peermont Proprietary of South Africa will take over management of the Umodzi Park in September. The Umodzi Park includes the Presidential Hotel, Bingu International Conference Centre and the Presidential Village.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Nankhumwa said Sunbird Tourism Limited who have been running the facility have been advised to stop operations by September 4.

Said Nankhumwa: “Most of the preparations to have this facility opened are on course. In fact, Sunbird Tourism Limited, who have been running this facility, have been informed that Peermont will take over in September so that they have ample time to undertake development works, facility fit outs recruitment and training of staff.”

Nankhumwa also disclosed that Umodzi Holdings Limited which is a public company overseeing the operations of the facilities are in the process of sourcing $5 million from local banks to finance the pre-opening and development budgets.

He said government is pleased with the financial model presented by Peermont because it paints a good and positive picture of the business prospects.

“Peermont has presented financial projections and models for the business for a 10 year period and as government, we are satisfied with it because it will guide their operation in the country,’ said Nankhumwa.

The minister also disclosed that eight of the presidential villas will be open to the general public to help Peermont generate revenue on a regular basis because most of the times the villas will be idle.

The Umodzi Park has been a centre of controversial with government having difficulties to choose the preferred bidder between Peermont Limited and Legacy Holdings.

Legacy Holdings had threatened to sue Umodzi Holdings, but according to officials from the Tourism Ministry, nothing of that sort has happened.