Serena Hotels receives ecotourism award and other news

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Renovation restores Polana Serena’s world-class status

Posted Thursday, December 23 2010 at 00:00

Extensive renovations have been completed on the Polana Serena Hotel in Mozambique, which was officially opened last week.

The hotel was acquired by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) in 2002 and has undergone extensive works to restore it to its former status as the regional “Grand Dame.”

“World-class travel facilities can be crucial components of what we call ‘an enabling environment,’ a setting in which additional development initiatives can take root and thrive,” said His Highness the Aga Khan, Founder and Chairman of AKFED, during the official inauguration.

AKFED owns and manages 25 properties in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan under the Serena brand name.

The newly refurbished hotel is situated in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital city, on a four-hectare property boasting 142 rooms.

Built in 1922, it has a rich historical and cultural history.

It has three restaurants offering various dining options and the Serena Maisha Health Spa.

During the opening ceremony, the hotel’s investment in a grey water recycling system, which produces reusable water for the hotel, was recognised.

AKFED’s investment is part of the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Mozambique in the agriculture, health and education sectors, mainly in Cabo Delgado Province.

Other AKDN agencies and entities in the country are involved in microfinance under the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, Professional Development for teachers, tourism under AKFED, and industrial enterprises such as the Moztex garment factory.
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Post by kmaherali »

The video of the opening ceremony:

http://www.akdn.org/videos_detail.asp?VideoId=114

Tourism: a feature of social change - Address by His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique, at the inauguration ceremony of Polana Serena Hotel - Maputo

16 December 2010


Please also see: Speech in Portuguese, Press Release and Video of the Inauguration

Your Highness the Aga Khan
Your Excellencies
The Minister of Tourism
The Members of the Council of Ministers
The Vice-Ministers
The Governor of the City of Maputo
The Chairman of Maputo Municipal Council
The Heads of Diplomatic and Consular Missions
The Representatives of Regional and International Organizations
The Representatives of the Entrepreneurial Community
Ladies and Gentlemen

We are before a work with an outstanding presence, a magnificent architecture and such comfortable interiors that we are all impressed and charmed. European in its conception, of African constitution and raised to enrich the landscape of this Pearl of the Indian Ocean and of the bay that is its veranda, the Polana Serena Hotel fills the imagination of its beholders and, deservingly and most proudly, claims for an outstanding place among the best hotels in Africa and among the most famous ones around the world.

Some 88 years after its first opening and some 20 months after the beginning of its restoration works, the Polana Serena starts a new phase of its history, ready to cope with the challenges of the dynamic, increasingly competitive and demanding Mozambican hotel industry.

We wish, therefore, to thank Your Highness the Aga Khan, the Serena Group, the management and workers of the Polana Serena Hotel, for this decision to carry out significant works in order to keep this property suitable for the most demanding guests who may visit this Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tourism plays a fundamental part in promoting the social and economic development of our Beloved Motherland, generating jobs and income. Indeed,

* We have cases of communities that have worked to build and manage community tourism enterprises;
* We have cases of fellow citizens who could not afford a regular income and who are nowadays regular or seasonal staff in tourism resorts,
- Working in construction or in the maintenance of equipments;
- As gardeners or plumbers;
- As cooks or waiters;
- As tourism guides or assisting in activities such as diving and fishing in high water.

The cascading outcome of the increase of their income has allowed these families increased access to goods and services, which could not be afforded before, due to the lack of financial resources.

They can have a better home and a means of transport, their children can pursue their studies – they have a better life. If before they were dependent on subsistence farming or fishing, today they have an activity that increases their income.

We have conditions to attract and diversify tourism activities in Mozambique, and therefore to make sure that more fellow citizens may find a source of income and take a more active part in the struggle against poverty and in favour of our wellbeing:

* We have conditions for improving the sun and beach tourism along our extensive coast line, with the many havens of its islands and its idyllic bays.
* With the increased number of flights and the improved capacity both for accommodation and events, we have significantly improved the conditions to propel business tourism;
* To the tourist, we also offer the chance, rare in the world, to connect the hunting tourism to the sun and beach tourism;
* Cultural tourism has been growing due to the increased understanding of our skills, our historic, cultural and artistic heritage and of our culinary. Today there are many local festivals attracting more and more national and foreign tourists;
* To the geographic details fit for adventure, add the idyllic landscapes to be found by all those who look for beauty, peacefulness and harmony with Nature.

These are just a few among the many pages of our tourism which, together with the traditional hospitality of the Mozambican people, always with a fresh smile, make this country one of the most privileged destinations of the worldwide tourism.

This is a fact evidenced by the arrivals to Mozambique. Our country has to change this tourism potential into a valuable contribution towards the social and economic development of our Beloved Motherland. And regarding these features, the Polana Serena Hotel is acknowledged and applauded. We are pleased to see that other tourism initiatives do their part, exploring such potentials and opportunities and contributing, therefore, to achieve the Tourism Development Strategic Plan.

The development of tourism structures is an important step towards the exploration of our tourism potential but it may be not enough to ensure the competitiveness at the local and international levels.

Therefore, we have been increasing access, building more roads and connecting different national administrative units to the national electricity network.

We have also been expanding information and communication technologies, including the radio, television and fixed and mobile telecommunications. In our investments list we have included the construction of sanitary units with high technology in order to respond to complex emergencies.

Within the scope of tourism in Mozambique, I am also pleased to say that the Law of Civil Aviation, enforced as from the 1st of January 2010, has enabled the increase of flights from and to different parts of Mozambique. Today we have more flights connecting different cities in the country and to foreign destinations.

We are also pleased to understand how the transforming force of tourism brings change and improves the quality of life of our wonderful people. Tourism is, therefore, an important tool in the struggle against poverty, both in rural and urban areas.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We reiterate our appreciation to His Highness the Aga Khan and the Serena Group for the restoration, and while retaining its original features, of the Polana Hotel, a splendid architectural work in our capital city. To all those who gave their valuable contribution to the making of this project, the contractors, the supervisors, the workers, we express our gratitude and encouragement that you may get involved in other similar efforts, which might reaffirm the status of this Pearl of the Indian Ocean within the sector of high quality international tourism.

To end, we wish to invite the Serena Group and other national and foreigner entrepreneurs to invest in the Areas of Touristic Interest, this meaning those areas that have been selected for tourism development.

Seven of these areas have been identified in the provinces of Inhambane, Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Delgado. We wish to invite you to build more hotels and resorts, to further multiply the worldwide tourism references provided by the Polana Hotel.

Thank you very much.

http://www.akdn.org/speeches_detail.asp?id=1042&idlng=0
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Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) participates in seminar on ‘reforms in forest laws’

Seminar on ‘reforms in forest laws’ held

ISLAMABAD: Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Tuesday organised a seminar “Legal & Institutional Reforms in Forest Laws for accepting Forest Carbon as Commodity.”

Speakers at the seminar pointed out that there needs to be a “comprehensive definition” of what comes into the category of forests, and that how to balance livelihood of dependent people with deforestation. They also said that there needs to be a mechanism for REDD.

Reflecting on post flood scenario, speakers said that there is no estimate of destroyed forests in those areas and there has been no census since 2004 to have an assessment for the natural disaster’s impact. They stressed community ownership of the issue of deforestation and Ministry of Environment should nominate a focal body that could take charge of dealing with the concerns and create awareness for technical issues. They also stressed legal and institutional reforms, public/private partnership should be fostered in this regard and there needs to be a dismantlement of Development Sector Mafia and more focus on corporate social responsibility.

Moin Uddin, Director Corporate Strategy, Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) gave an overview of their organisation and said that it is a subsidiary company of Agha Khan Foundation and Serena Hotels operate under their banner. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 011_pg5_15
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Shafqat Amanat Ali’s new song: “Yahaan-This place” (Beautiful Baltistan)

In coordination with Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan, Serena Hotels. Note acknowledgments at the source.

Producer: Zarminae Ansari

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQd9KYDm734
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Nairobi Serena Hotel will have translated copies of the Holy Qur'an placed in all its rooms.

Serena Hotel to have Holy Quran in hotel rooms. Nairobi Serena Hotel will have translated copies of the Holy Qur’an placed in all its rooms.

A total of 203 copies of the Qur’an were on Tuesday donated to the international hotel chain by Ummah Foundation.

In many hotels, the standard practice has been to have copies of the Bible being placed in hotel rooms but this will be the first time that a major international hotel in the country is having translated copies of the Holy Quran (English text) placed in the rooms.

The managing director Mahmud Jan Mohammed praised the move saying that it will go to great length in cultivating understanding of Islam among its visitors from diverse backgrounds. “This will help in making people enlightened and will play an excellent role in pro­moting mutual relation and understanding of Muslims,” he said dur­ing the hand over ceremony.

Apart from Nairobi Serena Hotel, Jan Mohammed said the copies of the Holy Qur’an will also be placed in all the hotel rooms of all Serena Hotels in the East African region as well as those in Af­ghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Syria.

Speaking at the event, Tourism minister Najib Balala lauded the move noting that it is an opportunity to foster better understanding and clear misconceptions about Muslims and Islam.

He said with the global village, it is important to promote avenues for mutual understanding which will foster cohesiveness and tol­erance among people. “ We cannot afford to live in isolation, we should instead promote understanding among one another as this will promote co-existence,” he said.

On his part, the Ummah Foundation chairman Abdullatif Essajee commended the Serena Hotel for taking the initiative to partner with the Foundation to bring about mutual understanding in the society. He underscored the importance of the project which he said will build bridges of understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The chairman said the Nairobi Serena Hotel has a special place among Kenyans as it was the venue which brought about peace in the country after the post-election violence and the availability of the Holy Qur’an in the hotel rooms will further promote the message of peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. “Islam means peace and teaches us to be peaceful and to live in mutual harmony with all humanity,” he said.
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Gilgit Serena Hotel: Tree Plantation for Better Environment

March 12, 2011 by ismailimail Leave a Comment

Reported by Asghar Khan

Tree Plantation for Better Environment

Trees and plants are the prime source of environmental purification and beautification. Gilgit Serena Hotel under its SEED Program celebrated the “Spring Tree Plantation for better Environment” at the Special Children Education Complex Gilgit. Mr. Rashid Ud Ding General Manager Gilgit Serena Hotel with their senior managers, Mr. Ahmed Baig Director of Special Education, Teachers, Special students along with their parents, devoted their time to planting saplings and beautification of the complex and planted 100 fruits / non fruit trees within the premises of Special Education Complex Gilgit. Mr. Shamsher Khan (Deputy Director Bait-Ul-Mal Gilgit) was the Chief Guest of the event. The Bait-Ul-Mal looks after the affairs of Special Education Complex in Gilgit. This is the second years of Gilgit Serena Hotel organizing such activities for the Special Children at their complex.

Special Education Complex Gilgit is working under the Ministry of Social Welfare and Education (Directorate General Special Education Islamabad) since 1988. Under National Education policy it was just only for deaf and blind students in early years, now under the Federal Government supervision this Institution extended its services for all kind of special children from all over Gilgit Baltistan region. Its main objectives are mainly social development through which the potentialities of people (particularly of those who belong to down-trodden and vulnerable segments of society) are stimulated to promote their effective participation in the process of social change for improvement of quality of life. Social welfare as a process of social development provides tools and the skills for instilling confidence in a person to cope with the pressure of disorders and disruptions caused by the forces of social change.

http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... ilimail%29
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Herati music concert at the Kabul Serena

Held on March 16, 2011, this grand event was attended by AKDN Country Representative Aly Mawji and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry among others. Full US Embassy photo set at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kabulpubli ... 534163229/
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Showcases breathtaking beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan

Ishrat Hyatt
Thursday, March 17, 2011

[Showcases breathtaking beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan]
Islamabad

In order to motivate expatriates and others living in Islamabad to visit one of Pakistan’s most beautiful locations and with a view to promoting tourism to the Gilgit-Baltistan area in general, the CEO, Serena Hotels (South and Central Asia) Aziz Boolani and Mrs Wiqar-un-Nisa Boolani hosted a dinner at the Nazara Lounge of the Serena.

The event was attended by many ambassadors and high commissioners along with their spouses as well as prominent members of Pakistani society. A video titled ‘Yahaan’ (here) which has been dedicated to the beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan — labeled as Pakistan’s ‘best kept secrets’ — with vocals by Shafqat Amanat Ali, was screened on the occasion. It showcases the breathtaking beauty of the area, both natural and man made as well as the lifestyle of the people and its main purpose is to promote tourism to give a much needed boost to the economy.

Addressing the gathering the host thanked his guests for accepting his invitation then went on to say a few words about the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) which has been doing tremendous work in the area. Apart from renovating four historic edifices — Khaplu and Shigar palaces and Altit and Baltit forts and imparting high class education to girls and boys, the AKDN has undertaken sustainable development projects like rehabilitation of settlements etc. He thanked the ambassador of Norway, Robert Kvile for his country’s support for the cultural assets of Pakistan, a support which is rights based and is seen as an integral part of overall development but focusing on two main areas — strengthening performing and visual arts and preservation of heritage.

He also praised the producer of the video, Zarmine Ansari ‘for the inspired idea of promoting the heritage properties through the video/song’ and all the others who were involved in the project including director Soheb Akhtar.

In his response Ambassador Kvile said he was happy to be part of the process of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Pakistan and though he had been a little hesitant when the idea was floated, he was soon won over by its concept and the message it will send out. He too said words of praise for Zarmine and thanked her and all the rest of those involved in the production of the video.

Dinner was a fine dining experience served to perfection with good food and in a relaxed atmosphere, with the video screened continuously in muted voice mode, which led it to be part of the conversation. And the icing on the cake so to say was that each guest was presented a copy of this beautiful production to view at leisure at home — or tempt their friends to visit GB!

Shafqat Amanat Ali, who is from the 7th generation of the sub-continental classical music tradition of the Patiala Gharana, was the ‘obvious choice’ to sing ‘Yahaan’ One of Pakistans best known vocalists classically trained Shafqat known as the ‘Rockstar Ustad’ has a diverse fan following that transcends age and is loved at home as well as the Pakistani diaspora. A true lover of nature he also fell in love with GB. His words ‘Ek baar jo aye, dil yahaan reh jayay, jana chahay na phir yahaan say (he who comes here once leaves his heart behind and never wants to leave from here.) are reiterated in every guest book of GB.

Zarmine Ansari is a graduate of the Aga Khan programme for Islamic Architecture at MIT with a love of nature and passion for promoting Pakistan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDe ... =3/17/2011
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Islamabad hotel responds to local heritage and crafts through contemporary design language

The Serena Hotel represents the ideology of the client, The Agha Khan, who has been an exponent of local heritage and enrichment of the local crafts through new design challenges and opportunities.

The Serena hotel buildings in Asia and Africa have been able to reflect the sensibilities of their respective locations and have been sympathetic to historical and cultural aspects through their unique expressions.

The hotel in Islamabad posed a tall challenge since the capital city is a fairly young development. In order to extract a connection to historical and cultural content, the circle had to be enlarged to absorb the culture and expression of surrounding areas instead of the capital itself.

The Islamabad Serena emerges as a hotel covering the heritage of the sub-continent and the Islamic idioms of design. However, none of the features follow any particular period. The language is innovative and eventually contemporary, taking its cues from the spirit of regional architecture.

The hotel responds to the design brief in providing a layout that addresses security concerns while it enables the guests and visitors to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and the roof garden above the banquet hall area.

Another important achievement is that of using local resources, materials and labour. The marble flooring, light fittings, chandeliers and artwork are the proud products of local artisans.

Various blocks and zones of the project operate independently such as the office block, banquet halls, restaurants and exhibition spaces. Despite this separation of various levels and terraces of the hotel, the architectural language manages to provide a sense of unity amongst all the spaces, and the architectural detailing provides a strong sense of harmony and character.

The capacity of the hotel is more than 500 rooms with two large banquet halls and five specialty restaurants. The approximate area of the hotel is 600,000 sq ft and the office building covers another 250,000 sq ft.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/in ... d_id=16602
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It’s Climate Change and Tourism for Serena Hotels: 13,000 More Seedlings towards Mau Conservation.

May 5th 2011:“…True to the Serena Hotels Eco Policy, we are determined to set a benchmark for responsible tourism in the communities in which we operate...” These were the undisputed words of Serena Hotels Managing Director Mahmud Jan Mohamed who has vowed to rise up to the challenge of planting 10Million trees over the coming years in recognition of the 2011 United Nations International Year of the Forests through the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund for Environment (PSAKFE). This is just but a drop in the ocean, considering the 100Million trees planted by The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Asia and Africa over the last 25 years.

Friday6th May 2011 saw Serena Hotels’ Management, Staff and other Stakeholders, together with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) converge at Nderit Forest in Mau for the tree launch. As one of the stakeholders in the Mau, Serena Hotels, Lodges and Resorts is very proud of the Mara Serena Safari Lodge which today draws its water supply from the Mara River besides the wildlife (the Great Migration) that is of great interest to its guests.

Serena Hotels has requested for a Block in the Western Mau Forest where it expects to be allocated about 100 hectares with a possibility of extension. Meanwhile, it will be working in partnership with African Wildlife Fund (AWF) which has been allocated 4,000 hectares. It is on the AWF Block (In Nderit Forest) that Serena Hotels planted the 13,000 seedlings on 6th May, 2011.

AKDN uttermost aim is to plant enough trees (including those planted in Serena Hotel Lodges in East Africa) and claim for Carbon Credit, later.The over 2 million trees Serena has planted at its Lodges, schools and government forests have been enumerated in the UNEP’s ‘The Billion Tree Campaign’.In the world today however, sustainable tourism entails striving to be carbon neutral. This means balancing carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions that are produced from tourism-related activities like air travel, auto travel, heating, electricity,etc with equivalent carbon reduction activities elsewhere (offsets).

Carbon offsetting has roots in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that calls on polluting nations to reduce their greenhouse gases (GHG) emission levels and sets out fines for developed countries that exceed emission targets. By ratifying the agreement, the developing countries like Kenya having no GHG emission reduction obligations can participate in GHG reduction through clean development mechanism (CDM) projects.

Statistics show that registered CDM projects worldwide is disappointingly low with none in Kenya, 20 in Africa and only 708 the whole world. Clearly, rather than wait to have registered carbon sequestration projects, there is need for tourism in East Africa to take action to minimize its carbon footprint. To that end therefore, Serena Hotels is working towards being fully carbon neutral by offsetting its carbon through community support and carbon reduction projects. In addition to this, Serena has introduced programs that offer guests the opportunity to offset carbon emissions by allowing them to contribute to community projects which aim at reducing GHG such as the reforestation.

Serena guests and property locals take up the responsibility of offsetting their carbon footprints every time they visit the facilities by planting at least five trees. Currently, this practice is at all Serena Lodges in Kenya. Amboseli Serena, being the pioneer in tree planting project from 1991, has a total of about one million trees that have taken root.

http://www.serenahotels.com/it%E2%80%99 ... 59-en.html
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Serena Dushanbe

Post by Admin »

From Heritage correspondent:

Tentative date for SOFT opening of Serena Dushanbe is 9 September 2011
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Serena Hotel gears up for Sh4bn upgrade as it unveils new camp

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/- ... index.html

Image

FREDRICK ONYANGO| NATION His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan and Tourism Minister Najib Balala seen through a lamp post as they go through the executive suite after opening the Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp on Wednesday. The camp is owned by Serena Group of Hotels.


By PAUL WAFULA, pwafula@ke.nationmedia.com

Posted Wednesday, July 13 2011 at 19:46

TPS Serena has announced a Sh4 billion plan to upgrade the Nairobi Serena hotel as competition intensifies in Kenya’s hospitality industry The revamp will see the hotel chain establish a separate wing adjacent to the Nairobi hotel that will have a 300-seat conference centre, a car park, 40 new rooms and refurbished public areas. The annex will be built on a piece of land that is currently used as a car park by hotel guests.

“If we do not reinvest in improving our properties, then they will become boring especially for repeat customers,” said the TPS Eastern Africa Group managing director, Mr Mahmud Janmohamed.” The expansion will start in December and take three years to complete.

Mr Janmohamed was speaking at the opening of the Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp in Naivasha, its 24th property in the six countries it operates in. TPS Serena’s hotels and lodges are located in Kenya, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique.

The Sh360 million camp has 24 luxury tents and a furnished suite named Flamingo for travellers seeking privacy and comfort in a natural setting.

Located within a private ranch - the Soysambu Conservancy - 28 Kilometres from Nakuru town and a kilometre from an airstrip, the facility will host tourists visiting Lake Elmenteita. The Lake is the only breeding ground for the white Pelican in East Africa.

Lake Nakuru national park, the Kariandusi pre-historic site and the Kikopey hot springs are other tourist attractions within reach from the camp.

Unlike hotels and lodges that offer a mix of business and pleasure, luxury camps offer an exclusive experience in the wild. It is set on 25 acres within the 40,000 hectare ranch that is home to three species of giraffes. The location will help it tap into the shift in preferences by visitors towards environmental tourism.

The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is the principal shareholder in TPS Eastern Africa Ltd, which runs the Serena hotel chain.

His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan, chairman of the AKFED Executive Committee, called on the government to ensure that the relevant infrastructure is installed to support further investments in the country. “We in the Serena Group, are proud and grateful that we have been able to play a leading role in the growth and development of this country.

Prince Amyn said the main aim of investing in Elmentaita Serena Camp was to strengthen the hotel chain’s western Kenya Safari circuit and link it with the Masai Mara Serena Lodge.

“Places like this sanctuary can contribute significantly to the national economy while educating future generations of both citizens and foreigners. Serena will continue to do all that it can to promote and assist in conservation efforts,” he said.

The tourism ministry has invited private investors to provide diversity by setting up accommodation facilities outside the main beach and game segments of the sector.

“Such investments will be critical to ensure that we reinvent our products to meet the changing needs of our tourists,” said Tourism Minister Najib Balala. There is a deficit of 25,000 beds in the country during the peak season.

The shortfall has attracted new entrants such as Ole Serani, Sankara and Crowne Plaza in the past two years, which have seen Nairobi’s bed capacity grow by of 2,000 rooms.

Mr Balala projects that arrivals will increase by at least 20 per cent this year to cross the two million mark.

Latest tourism figures show that the number of tourists to Kenya in the first four months of the year grew 16.1 per cent to 390,148 from 336,179 recorded in the same period a year earlier, with players upbeat that the growth will continue to the end of the year.

“We expect at least between 5 to 10 per cent growth in our business this year, said Karl Hala, the East and Central Africa Director of Operations Intercontinental Hotels. “Kenya is also benefiting from the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa,” he said

*****
(eTN) - Serena’s latest addition to their growing collection in East Africa, the Soysambu-based Elmenteita Serena on the shores of Lake Elmenteita, was yesterday officially opened by the Minister of Tourism Hon. Najib Balala in the presence of His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Serena’s Group Managing Director Mahmud Jan Mohamed, and other officials.

http://www.eturbonews.com/23998/elmente ... lly-opened
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http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/201 ... -expanded/

Kenya hospitality news update – Elementaita Serena officially opened, Nairobi Serena to be expanded

Posted July 14, 2011 by Wolfgang's East Africa and Indian Ocean Tourism reports

ELEMENTAITA SERENA OFFICIALLY OPENED, NAIROBI SERENA TO GET EXPANDED

Serena’s latest addition to their growing collection in East Africa, the Soysambu based Elementaita Serena on the shores of Lake Elementaita, was yesterday officially opened by the Minister of Tourism Hon. Najib Balala in the presence of His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Serena’s Group Managing Director Mahmud Jan Mohamed and other officials.

The 24 tent development closes a gap for Serena in their safari circuit, connecting the Mara Serena Lodge with their Samburu Serena Lodge, or for that matter Sweetwaters Camp or the Mountain Lodge. Safari itineraries prefer a stopover along the Rift Valley lakes when either heading to or coming from the Masai Mara Game Reserve and the absence of a Serena property along the lakes had left that market to the competition, until now that is.

Since the property was already reviewed a few weeks ago here, the topic can move to the Nairobi Serena flagship hotel of the group in Kenya, which is due for a major upgrade and expansion.

Starting later this year the hotel will see another 60 room wing added in one section of the present ‘upper’ car park, while the present hotel is due to get another floor added on top, before eventually, on a ‘wing by wing’ basis, turning three present rooms into two, similar to the ‘Garden Suites’, giving the faithful Serena guests a truly luxury environment to stay in.

It was also revealed during the opening of the Elementaita Serena that the car park opposite the hotel will in another phase of expansion be turned into a dedicated 300 seat conference centre with an underground car park, adding another much in demand facility to the Nairobi Serena to cement its leading market position.

In a related development it was also learned that construction on a new lodge in Rwanda, on a site near the Parc de Volcanoes, is also due to commence soon, adding a third Serena property after the Kigali Serena Hotel and the Lake Kivu Serena Resort.
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TPS Serena Hotels and Staff Donate Sh. 3.0 Million to the ‘Kenyans for Kenya’ Initiative.

Serena Donation to the Kenyans for Kenya Initiative


TPS Serena Hotels and members of staff have today contributed a total of Sh. 3.0 Million towards the Kenyans for Kenya’ Initiative to alleviate the suffering of Kenyans affectedwith starvation and the drought. Speaking at his Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) office, which is an affiliate company of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), TPS Serena Hotels Managing Director, Mahmud Janmohamed commended the Serena staff for this noble initiative and expressed his sincere hope and beliefthat this donation, together with those from other willing Kenyans will go a long way in addressing intervention measures to ease the humanitarian crisis in northern Kenya.

Kenyanstaffs from the Serena Properties in Kenya, TPS Head Office and Central Stores have in various creative wayscontributed to the ‘Kenyans for Kenya’ Initiative over the last one week which amongst others include the foregoing of meals and transport allowances and by contributing cash. The handover ceremony will take place at 11.00am on Friday 5th August at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Present at the handover ceremony will be the Management and Staff representatives includingMonica Owuoche and Weldon Ronoh who initiated the fundraising campaign towards helpingour fellow Kenyans challenged by the drought.

Later on Friday 5th August, TPSSerena Hotels’ members of staff will attend thepublic announcement at the Nairobi Serena Hotel where other Organizations in Kenya will congregate to join the fund with their pledges towards the same initiative, ‘Kenyans for Kenya’.

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/
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Hotel gives Sh13m food assistance to school
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:25

By The Citizen Reporter
Arusha.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge has made a donation worth Sh13.6 million to Kilimamoja secondary school in Karatu district. The support handed over the weekend to the school administration, will be used in feeding hundreds of students in the school and building a two-in-one teachers house with a capacity to host three families.

"Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is not just a hotel, it is a community in which each of us strives to reach our potential and help others to reach theirs hence building a lifetime relationships" the Lodge Manager, Mustafa Mbinga said.

He said that it was against that background that his hotel decided to help the students so that they can study comfortably and reach their potential. Receiving the support, the chairman of the Kilimamoja village, Mr Israel David commended the Manyara Serena Safari Lodge management for relieving them with the responsibility of feeding their children at school.

“This support is a big relief to the parents this time around when they are grappling with the serious food shortage as they normally contribute food for the school” Mr David explained. For her part, the Kilimamoja secondary school’s Headmistress, Mrs Mboya said the food guarantee will be a major incentive for her students to attend classes.

“No more excuse for absenteeism because the food is now available, thanks to Manyara Serena Safari Lodge for its support” Mrs Mboya explained.Serena’s portfolio currently comprises a collection of luxury hotels, resorts and safari lodges in some of the most exquisite locations in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique.

It owns and manages other properties in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan as part of its mandate to contribute to economic growth in an environmentally and culturally sensitive manner. It is also an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).

http://thecitizen.co.tz/business/-/1601 ... -to-school
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Polana Serena Hotel receives the “Made in Mozambique” Seal of Honour

The Polana Serena Hotel recently received the “Made in Mozambique” seal. This insignia recognises the Polana Serena Hotel’s commitment to revitalisation and empowerment in the provision of good service and quality products. Says Merali: “We are confident that this stamp will add value to our services and verify us in the market as a hotel which provides services that are truly Mozambican and of an international standard.”

Beautifully located on one of the most sought-after avenues in the heart of Maputo, The Polana Serena Hotel has always boasted having a reputation of being one of the best hotel’s in the world. Having achieved this new ‘green’ certification is just another accolade which affirms this status as the hotel continues to keep abreast of the ever-changing trends in the market.

For more information visit http://www.serenahotels.com/serenapolan ... -en.htmlor call Polana Serena Hotel on Tel: (+258) 21241700 or 2124800Fax: (+258) 21491480

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/?p=635
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Mawlana Hazar Imam arrives in Tajikistan to open Dushanbe Serena

Mawlana Hazar Imam with AKDN Resident Representative Munir Merali and His Excellency Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received Hazar Imam on behalf of the Government of Tajikistan. Photo: Gary Otte

Dushanbe, 30 October 2011 — Mawlana Hazar Imam arrived in Tajikistan today for the inauguration of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel. Prince Rahim and Prince Amyn had arrived earlier, and will also participate in the opening ceremony.

At the airport, His Excellency Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Mawlana Hazar Imam on behalf of the Government of Tajikistan. Aga Khan Development Network Resident Representative Munir Merali and leaders of the Jamat also welcomed Hazar Imam to the country.

Mawlana Hazar Imam is welcomed to Tajikistan by LIF Member Dr Sharofat Mamadambarova and ITREC Chairman Dr Mamadsho Ilolov, as AKDN Resident Representative Munir Merali looks on. Photo: Gary Otte

Mawlana Hazar Imam has described the new five-star Serena Hotel as part of “a long-term commitment to a process of tourism development that can have deep and lasting benefits for Central Asia.” In addition to setting quality benchmarks, generating urban renewal and contributing to Tajikistan’s economic development, the Dushanbe hotel has already made important strides in human resource development through its comprehensive employee training programme.

While in Tajikistan, Mawlana Hazar Imam is also expected to review the progress of other AKDN projects in the region.

Prince Amyn and Prince Rahim are greeted by staff at the Dushanbe Serena Hotel. They are accompanied by Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels (South and Central Asia) and Hotel General Manager David Scully. Photo: Michail Romanyuk

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1281/
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President Rahmon and Aga Khan Inaugurate Dushanbe Serena Hotel

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1093

Tajik Culture and Tradition Featured in Modern Hotel

Please also see: Photographs, Dushanbe Serena Hotel Website

Dushanbe, 1 November 2011 -- His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today inaugurated the Dushanbe Serena Hotel.

The ceremony, which was held in the hotel’s Millat banquet room, was attended by Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Executive Director of AKFED, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, eldest son of His Highness the Aga Khan and dignitaries from the government, development and tourism sectors.

“The opening of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel in the centre of the capital, the architectural designs of which unite our cultural heritage with the modern aspects of design, is a remarkable achievement,” said President Rahmon, expressing his gratitude to His Highness the Aga Khan, agencies of the AKDN and “all the architects, designers, engineers and all those who were involved and participated actively in construction of this modern structure.”

The Aga Khan said that he hoped that the hotel would be “a welcoming haven" for the “traders, bankers, developers and business executives, government officials and diplomats, the leaders of civil society, travellers, vacationers, artists and writers, people from many backgrounds and from the farthest reaches of our world”. Evoking the history of the Silk Route, he remarked that “all of them will learn, as they visit, about the exciting potential of this country and this region, and some of them will wish even to settle here in some way. Is this not exactly what happened at the time of the Silk Route?”

Located at the heart of the country’s capital on Rudaki drive, the hotel is part of the broader work of the AKDN, which includes a range of non-profit development activities throughout Tajikistan, from microfinance banks to a campus of the University of Central Asia, and selected commercial investments, including the Serena hotel and a hydroelectricity project, Pamir Energy, which are designed to create the infrastructure for economic development.

The hotel, which cost $58m to build, employed over 300 Tajik nationals at the peak of its construction period. It currently employs close to 200 staff, ninety-three percent of whom are Tajik and indirectly supports some 300 people. The Tajik government, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) and the International Finance Corporation partnered with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) in the construction of the Dushanbe Serena.

Also addressing guests at the ceremony, Prince Amyn underlined the intention “to position the Dushanbe Serena as the flagship hotel property in this country, combining Tajik design with traditional Tajik warmth and hospitality, providing the highest levels and quality of service to international or foreign visitors and tourists as also to the citizens of Tajikistan themselves.”

Placing emphasis on research which had been carried out on the country’s artistic idioms, and cultural expressions in an effort to “escape the foreign architectural idiom that characterizes so much of the architectural landscape currently admired elsewhere,” he remarked, “my hope is that from the etching on the glass of this building to the intricate paintings on the walls and the designs and decor throughout the hotel right down to the uniforms of our staff we will have showcased Tajik motifs and colours and this country’s culture in a true and authentic form. We have been greatly assisted by the collaboration of many talented, hardworking local artists. Their enthusiasm and creativity have inspired us. They are a credit to this country.”

The hotel combines contemporary architecture with Tajikistan’s rich traditional cultural heritage. The signature inspiration is the Choekhanna – the traditional Tea Pavilion with its high slender column structure, vibrantly hand-painted ceilings and historic carved masharabiyya wooden doors. The Choekhanna opens to a view of the garden, with a central water channel in the tradition of a char bagh. Each of the hotel’s interior spaces is a reminder of the country’s rich cultural tradition. Local crafts such as carved plaster, or Ganj, Ikat or Abr textile patterns, suzani needlework in silk textile, wall paintings by local artists, carpets with colourful floral motifs and vibrant hand-painted ceilings are designed to create the warmth of Tajik hospitality.

Designed by renowned Canadian architects and interior design firm Le Groupe Arcop, the Dushanbe Serena Hotel offers 85 luxury rooms and suites as well as 10 long-stay serviced apartments and 10 office spaces, and incorporates conference and shopping facilities, restaurants, state of the art gymnasium, spa and swimming pool on the rooftop.

Serena Hotels builds hotel capacity in underserved regions. It has built hotels in East Africa and Pakistan and more recently in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. As part of AKFED’s development ethos, Serena is both a commercial enterprise and a development project. The hotels are designed to be engines of economic growth through local employment and the development of human resources, sourcing and the generation of tax revenues. From its beginnings, Serena has also stressed cultural and environmental sensitivity, for which it has received a number of prizes. Its current portfolio comprises 34 hotels, resorts and safari lodges in ten countries – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Syria (under development), Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda.

For more information, please contact:

Sulhiya Khaidarova
Sales and Marketing Manager
Dushanbe Serena Hotel
14 Rudaki Avenue, 734013 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Email: sulhiya.khaidarova@serena.com.tj
Mobile: (992) 93 577 01 70
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VIDEO

http://www.akdn.org/videos_detail.asp?VideoId=125

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel

01 November 2011

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1094/Remark ... rena-Hotel

Please also see: Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan (Russian, Tajik), Speech by Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Press Release (English, Russian, Tajik), Photographs, Architecture, Dushanbe Serena Hotel Website

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim

Your Excellency, President Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan
Your Excellency, Davlatali Saidov, Chairman of the State Committee on Investment
and Management of State Property
Honorable Ministers
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to begin my comments this morning by thanking His Excellency the President for the support he has given this institution and having told us that it will remain fully occupied for the next two years! And I should warn our financing agencies that I will use that excuse to negotiate even harder than before for good terms for our future projects in Tajikistan!

We join today at a special ceremony of inauguration and dedication - and I am so pleased that we can share this moment together with all of you.

It is a time for thinking and talking about the exciting future, as we launch a new facility that will be central to the growth of this community and this country in the days and years to come.

But I am also thinking today about the past - both the near past and the more distant past which are tied so intimately with today’s ceremony - and with all the good things which we hope will come from it.

The spirit of our project, after all, reaches all the way back to the days of the ancient Silk Route - when this region was a key connecting point between people from many different cultures, languages and ethnicities - coming from opposite ends of the world as it was known at that time. And these travellers lived in some of the most magnificent caravanserai ever built and they constructed some of the world's most beautiful monuments: Samarkand, Khiva, Bokhara are iconic names. If we were using 21st century language to describe what was happening back then, we might have seen this place as one of the very first links in early processes of “globalization”, although there existed at that time, no credit cards with which to pay for the Syrian, Turkish and other caravanserai.

It is in this context that many of us see a new future for Dushanbe and Tajikistan as important players again on the global stage.

As that process develops, we hope that the new beautiful Serena Hotel will reflect both the spirit of this country's ancient past and be a welcoming haven with professional staff for the global players of the coming century - as they flow in increasing numbers to this lovely and exciting part of the world. Just think of who may be coming here - traders, bankers, developers and business executives, government officials and diplomats, the leaders of civil society, travellers, vacationers, artists and writers, people from many backgrounds and from the farthest reaches of our world. All of them will learn, as they visit, about the exciting potential of this country and this region, and some of them will wish even to settle here in some way. Is this not exactly what happened at the time of the Silk Route?

Thinking of the past, I recollect the important dates of Tajik history. Twenty years ago, independence; sixteen years ago, an agreement between the Aga Khan Development Network and the government of Tajikistan in order to contribute to the development of this country. That agreement has enabled us to share as partners in the work of developing Tajikistan and improving the quality of life of the people of this country. We focused not only on building this hotel, but we worked on rural development, health and education at different levels, the production of energy and including the University of Central Asia and the Ismaili Centre here in Dushanbe.

What is the purpose? The purpose is to bring multiple-sector support to the development process of the countries in which we work in.

On a day like this, we look to the future and we seek to set out benchmarks and goals to achieve and in doing that we work with partners and I want to take this occasion - and i can see our partners in the audience- to thank them for enabling our work In Tajikistan.

I also want to salute especially the architects and designers, the contractors, the project managers and all those workers who gave of their skills and energies to realize this project. I am pleased that my brother - and yes he is my brother-- who has worked so closely with all of these people, is joining me in expressing these thanks - speaking as well for the parent organization under which the Serena Group operates, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.

I hope that those of you who do decide occasionally to stay here, will find that what we have tried to achieve, will inshallah, be achieved.

Thank you.

*****

Speech by Prince Amyn Aga Khan for the official opening of Dushanbe Serena Hotel, 1st November 2011

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1095/Speech ... ember-2011

01 November 2011


Please also see: Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan (English, Russian, Tajik), Press Release (English, Russian, Tajik), Photographs, Architecture, Dushanbe Serena Hotel Website

Your Excellency, President Rahmon,
Your Highness,
Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and Management of State
Property,
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me the greatest pleasure to see the Dushanbe Serena officially opened today. Part of the hotel was, of course, unofficially available for clients during the recent anniversary of independence, although work was still progressing on the hotel and the building and its facilities were partly incomplete. The purpose then, as it is now, is that this hotel should offer to the country a receptive facility for investors and international visitors of all levels interested in Tajikistan and both capable and willing to support and take part in this country’s development. The Dushanbe Serena aims to strengthen Tajikistan’s infrastructure and to promote trade, tourism and investment to and within this country.

As an up-market facility, where service will be an essential element of success, it is also a purveyor of an enhanced quantity of jobs and professional opportunities to the people of this country. The Dushanbe Serena is what is known as a mixed-use building consisting of hotel rooms and the best modern hotel facilities, but also of apartments and office space.
Designing the Dushanbe Serena has not been an easy exercise, demanding that a building of so-called modern size and shape still respect Serena’s policy of high-lighting traditional design, a traditional aesthetic. We are all the children of mixed historical pasts, some of which pasts we like more, some less. It is like one’s parents or family: we like some more than others. But it is in its totality our heritage, it informs our present and acceptance of all of it is necessary to guide our future. The challenge for Serena was therefore to escape the bland artificial so-called international but essentially foreign architectural idiom that characterizes so much of the architectural landscape currently admired elsewhere, architecture where innovation has become synonymous with excess or extravagance. We have therefore undertaken considerable research into this country’s artistic idioms, its cultural expressions. My hope is that from the etching on the glass of this building to the intricate paintings on the walls and the designs and decor throughout the hotel right down to the uniforms of our staff we will have showcased Tajik motifs and colours and this country’s culture in a true and authentic form. We have been greatly assisted (and I want to thank them here) by the collaboration of many talented, hardworking local artists. Their enthusiasm and creativity have inspired us. They are a credit to this country.

The total cost of this project has been over US$58 million. This is excessive by normal standards since it has made the cost per room higher than the average tariffs we can expect to achieve. Non-availability of materials and of skilled labour, transportation costs have all contributed to this high end cost. Included in this figure are, of course, the some US$4.6 million that the company has paid to the Government treasury in direct and indirect taxes along with other levies such as customs duties. For this project to earn back so massive an investment will be a lengthy process at best. This project is thus essentially a development project rather than a purely commercial venture or opportunity and it must be seen and recognized as such. I would like here to thank most warmly our partners and lenders, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Deutsche Investitions and Entwicklungsgesellschaft MBH (DEG), the German development agency. AKFED is happy indeed that DEG agreed to join us as an equity partner, and it is particularly satisfying that DEG decided to continue with us, despite the fact that there has been an unexpected and significant cost overruns.

During construction, approximately 300 skilled and semi-skilled manpower were employed, of which over 80% were Tajik nationals. Moreover, efforts were consistently made to develop the skills of the local manpower employed so as to minimize the dependency on expatriate skilled manpower, and the availability of this trained local manpower should now benefit future construction projects in this country.

In the same line of thought, the hotel has at present some 190 employees, of which over 90% are Tajik nationals in many cases trained by us. I want to congratulate these young men and women, who bring to their work an enthusiasm, a desire to continue learning and to perform at the highest level which is admirable and which augurs well for this hotel as a landmark of quality and professionalism in Dushanbe. Serena will, of course, focus on the continuing training and development of our young and talented staff. With increased experience and the enhancement of their skills they can expect to be given higher responsibilities, thus improving their families’ income and living standards.

Our intention is to position the Dushanbe Serena as the flagship hotel property in this country, combining Tajik design with the traditional Tajik warmth and hospitality, providing the highest levels and quality of service to international or foreign visitors and tourists as also to the citizens of Tajikistan themselves. We will maximize the use of indigenous produce, working with local farmers and suppliers to reduce reliance on imported goods. My hope is that the citizens of Dushanbe and Tajik visitors to this city will make of the Dushanbe Serena Hotel their natural meeting point, to enjoy the facilities of this hotel, to relax and simply to meet each other for a pleasant moment or to further their business interests. The hotel has 85 guest rooms including Presidential and Executive suites, six restaurants of different types, meeting rooms, a banquet hall, a fully-equipped business centre and a health club that includes a spa, state-of-the-art gym equipment, treatment rooms and a roof-top swimming pool with a view over the city to the mountains beyond, not to mention large and attractive gardens.

Like all Serenas, this hotel observes strict standards of environmental friendliness, both in terms of the product but also in terms of energy conservation, recycling of effluents and hard and soft landscaping. We pride ourselves that all Serenas (and we now have 34 in operation internationally and three more in progress) go beyond existing environmental laws, regulations and minimum requirements and in fact, through new techniques and approaches, set new benchmarks. Like all Serenas, this hotel will also engage in a programme of corporate social responsibility, assisting and working with various local village organizations, technical and educational institutions and civic groups, civil society.

Finally, I should like to end these words with an acknowledgement of the support and contribution made by Mr Ramesh Khosla of Arcop, our architect, and his assistant, Anca Haganu, BATT Construction, our contractors, and Planning and Construction Management, our Project Management. It is thanks to them that we are able today to celebrate the completion and commissioning of the Dushanbe Serena before you. My heartfelt thanks go to this team. Working and creating with you has been a joy.

Thank you – Tashakoor.
Last edited by kmaherali on Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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http://www.eturbonews.com/26214/serena- ... ourist-cla

Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel Dar es Salaam

Serena chain acquires Tanzania's leading business and tourist-class hotel

By Apolinari Tairo, eTN Tanzania | Nov 06, 2011

TANZANIA (eTN) - East Africa's leading hotel chain, Serena Hotels, has taken over the business of the Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel Dar es Salaam.

Once operating as Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel Dar es Salaam, the 230-room facility will soon be operating under a business brand name of Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel.

Reports from Serena Hotels’ head office in Nairobi Kenya said that the flourishing and leading Serena chain had acquired the total business of the Movenpick Hotel in Tanzania's capital city of Dar es Salaam, but no more details were made available yet.

Located at the heart of the business district in the city center of Dar es Salaam, the hotel is one of the most popular accommodation and meeting place for corporate business and social events.

Movepick Royal Palm Hotel opened its business doors late in 1995, once operating under franchise of Sheraton Dar es Salaam Hotel, before changing its business to Royal Palm Hotel under Legacy Hotels of South Africa, and later the Swiss franchise, the Movenpick.

The hotel offers nightlife recreations, dining, business, shopping, and cultural diversions, while located a ten minute’s drive from Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and within walking distance of the city center.

Acquisition of Movepick Hotel brings to 10 Serena luxury hotels, lodges, and camps in Tanzania. The Serena chain entered Tanzania in mid-1996 when former Tanzania President Mr. Benjamin Mkapa and His Highness The Aga Khan cut a ribbon to open two lodges and a hotel in northern Tanzania wildlife parks, the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Serengeti Serena Lodge, and Lake Manyara Serena Hotel.

The total number of lodges other than Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara facilities currently under ownership and management of Serena portfolio in Tanzania are the Arusha Mountain Village (46 room), located at the foot of the wooded slopes of Mount Meru outside the tourist city of Arusha in Northern Tanzania, and Zanzibar Serena Inn (51 rooms) on the island of Zanzibar.

Other facilities under the Serena chain are Mivumo River Lodge in Selous Game Reserve, Kirawira Tented Camp, and Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camps in Western Serengeti and Selous Luxury Camp in Selous Game Reserve.
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Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge shines at Ecotourism Awards 2011

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge has been crowned Eco Tourism Enterprise of the year 2011. The announcement was made during the Annual Eco Tourism Awards Gala Dinner held on Friday 25th November 2011 by Ecotourism Kenya. The Ecotourism Awards seeks to reward individuals and corporates who have excelled in promoting sustainable tourism through business and best practices, and through involvement with the local communities around the areas in which they operate.

More...

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/?p=727
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Islamabad Serena Hotel completes 10 years of hospitality excellence

Islamabad Serena Hotel celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, 11th March, 2012, at the lush green and spacious gardens of the hotel. With a cake cutting ceremony, followed by the General Manager’s and CEO’s speech, the event was well attended by government officials, diplomats, heads of international agencies, representatives from the private and corporate sector, NGO’s, and the media. Majority of the guests attended the festivity with their spouses.

The entertaining 10-year anniversary celebration comprising of folk dance performances, puppet shows, piano recital, display of traditional artifacts, and other enjoyable activities was a great success. The festive outdoor atmosphere was enhanced by mouth-watering treats containing large array of BBQ items in addition to local and international cuisines. It was interesting to see the traditional items like Makai ki roti, Gola Ganda, Shawarmas, Faluda, Jalebis, and a lot more! It was a food-lovers dream.

General Manager Peter Hill orchestrated the celebration with the help of his smart and dedicated team members. “Serena Hotels in Pakistan have come a long way. From the commissioning of a small hotel in the northern areas of Pakistan to this flagship property – the journey has been long but rewarding” remarked

Aziz Boolani in his opening address.

A highlight of the afternoon was the display of miniature art by the local artists at the Satrang Gallery; an initiative of Serena Hotels Pakistan to encourage and promote talented artists in their pursuit of excellence.

Opened on March 11, 2002, the Islamabad Serena Hotel now has 387 guestrooms and suites, 8 restaurants, elaborate conference and events center, a fully equipped spa & health club, meeting rooms, and two temperature controlled swimming pools.

The Serena collection of luxury resorts, safari lodges, and hotels spans across some of the most evocative, exotic, and enchanting destinations in the world. The Serena properties enjoy an established reputation for the highest standards of comfort, service, and product. From its beginnings, Serena has stressed on cultural and environmental sensitivity, for which it has received a number of awards. Its current portfolio comprises 35 hotels, resorts and safari lodges in nine countries – Afghanistan, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar.

For more information, please contact:

Manizeh Kamal

Public Relations Manager

E-mail: manizeh.kamal@serena.com.pk

Phone No.: 111-133-133 Ext. 5688
Sarah Nisar

Marketing Communications Executive

E-mail: sarah.nisar@serena.com.pk

Phone No.: 111-133-133 Ext. 2013

http://www.serenahotels.com/islamabad-s ... 73-en.html
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Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge Honoured In The 2012 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotel Awards

LONDON, U.K. – 18 January 2012 - TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP), the world’s largest travel website, today reveals Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge was chosen as the overall winner in the Top 25 Bargain Hotels in Africa by TripAdvisor in its 2012 Travellers’ Choice® awards.

Now in its tenth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

“With the help of millions of travellers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the world’s most outstanding hotels for the tenth year of the Travellers’ Choice Awards,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business. “From the best bargain hotels to best luxury hotels, remarkable service, value and quality are the hallmarks of our Travellers’ Choice winners.”

As TripAdvisor has continued its growth globally, featuring sites in 30 countries and in 21 languages, the Travellers’ Choice Hotels awards now highlight a broader range of spectacular properties across the globe.

For reviews on the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... _West.html

For the complete 2012 Travelers’ Choice list, go to www.tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
About TripAdvisor

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/?p=901
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A Special Visitor at Serengeti.

Room number seven at the Serenegeti Serena Safari Lodge had the rare chance to host a visitor, a special one. A leopard cub, estimated to be about four months old was found alone, huddled in a corner at midday over the weekend of April 21st.

The Lodge is lucky enough to share its compound with an adult “resident” Leopard, but it was unclear as to whether the cub had been abandoned, or whether the mother was out hunting. The park authorities were informed and a veterinarian came to assess the situation. On his suggestion, the cub was left alone, but always under the watchful eye of concerned staff members.

A good number of the clients who were in house were given a chance to peek at the cub through the window of room seven, under the watchful eye of the Serena staff, who were also careful not to stress the cub with all of the attention.

Fortunately the mother returned that evening at about 7:45pm and after a happy reunion, both Mum and cub headed off back into the bush.

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/?p=1569

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Serena Hotels’ staff and Aga Khan Junior School Mark World Earth Week

Serena Hotels’ staff together with children from the Aga Khan Junior School in Nairobi embarked on a tree planting mission to mark the world earth week.

About thirty Serena members of staff from Tourism Promotion Services, Staff at Central Stores and Nairobi Serena Hotel together with an estimated 100pupils from the academy all together planted 1,500 seedlings at the University of Nairobi’s Lower Kabete Campus on Friday 27th April 2012.

More than 1Billion people around the world come together annually to mark the World Earth Week and to help elevate the importance of environmental issues around the world.

To support their efforts, Serena Hotels has over the years continued to support a wide- reaching reforestation program in the areas in which it operates. This program is dedicated towards reversing the tide of ecological destruction and most importantly to conserve the environment and air around us.

Our activities also spread to the Nderit Forest in Mau, our lodges in Kenya and Tanzania, and Nairobi City Park. We work closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service in terms of animal rescue and support. Today, our lodges, guests and communities have planted over 10Million trees through this program that has seen tremendous change in the eco system of the regions.

More photos from the tree planting initiatives are available on our Facebook page

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/?p=1723
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Serena Hotels Staff Donate towards Rwanda Genocide Commemoration.

As Rwanda Commemorated 18 years since the genocide, members of staff from the TPS Serena Hotels East Africa joined the Nation in remembering and honoring the lives lost, and the resilience of those who survived the Genocide.

This year, a total of RWF 2.78 Million (USD 5,000) was made towards the 18th Genocide Commemoration in Rwanda. The donation, which took place in April was made to the “Abahumurizanya”, a genocide orphans Association that Kigali Serena Hotel supports and to the “FARG Umudugudu Group” in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District that Lake Kivu Serena Hotel supports.

Speaking at his Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) office, which is an affiliate company of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), TPS Serena Hotels Managing Director, Mahmud Janmohamed commended the “East Africa Serena Family” for demonstrating the truly East African spirit for this noble initiative and expressed his sincere hope and belief that this donation, together with those from other willing donors will go a long way in addressing the humanitarian challenges that the survivors still face today so as to move towards a better and peaceful life.

The handover ceremony took place at the Kigali Serena Hotel. Present at the handover ceremony was Charles Muia, Country Manager, Serena Hotels Rwanda, and the Hotel Management and Staff.

Serena Hotels Staff and Management hope to do this even better next year, and to continue supporting these families.

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kmaherali
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Zanzibar and Zanzibar Serena Inn, a journey through history.

Zanzibar consists of a series of small tropical islands off the coast of Tanzania in the southern waters of the Indian Ocean. There are in fact two main islands – Unguja (commonly known simply as ‘Zanzibar’) and Pemba. Now part of the United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar was once a separate state and has a long trading history with the Arab world. The country has lured traders, adventurers, explorers – and now discerning tourists – to its shores for centuries.

Zanzibar’s history begins when the island became a base for Arab traders voyaging between Arabia, India, and Africa. Although the island had few resources of interest to the traders, it offered a good location from which to make contact and trade with towns on the East African coast.

More...

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kmaherali
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10,000 tree seedlings, 3 million trees later!

"This is how to do it" ...briefing session by the local community leader
Serena Hotels went all green and surpassed the 3million mark in the number of tree seedlings planted at the Hombe forest in Mt. Kenya National Park and across other Serena properties, significantly planting 10,000 tree seedlings in a single day at Hombe Forest alone.

The tree planting initiative which took place on World Environment Day blended with this year’s theme ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’ saw staff from Serena Mountain Lodge spend a day at the Hombe Forest together with the local community on an afforestation exercise. They were joined by students from the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi and staff from Air Uganda, Jubilee Insurance and Property Development & Management Service (PDM). The initiative also had friends from the social media fraternity, who took time off to plant trees at the forest as well as interact and share conservation stories.

Students from the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi join in the tree-planting.
A similar activity was carried out across all Serena Hotels, Lodges and Resorts in East Africa and Mozambique with a target of planting a further 1,000 tree seedling at all 25 properties. This collectively brought the number of trees planted by Serena Hotels all over East Africa so far to 3 million trees, and will see the team

The World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5th June to raise global awareness of the need to take positive environmental action and is run by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Check out more photos of the tree planting on our Facebook page.
This entry was posted in Communication, CSR and tagged Aga Khan Academy, Air Uganda, Hombe forest, Jubilee Insurance, Mt. Kenya National Park, Property Development & Management Service (PDM), Serena Hotels, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), World Environment Day. Bookmark the permalink.

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kmaherali
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Serena Hotels wins 2012 “Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa” Award.

Serena Hotels is this year’s winner of the coveted “Best Hospitality, Travel and Tourism in Africa” Award. The exclusive African Business Awards was held on 7 June 2012, at Grosvenor House in London.


“Recognition for excellence is an honor in itself, and challenge to continue giving nothing but the best service and product and we are grateful at the challenge this recognition bestows on us” - Mahmud Janmohamed, Managing Director Serena Hotels.

This Award and recognition comes under a new category for 2012 and Serena Hotels is very proud to have won it. The other companies nominated were Hilton Worldwide and Sarova Hotels, Resorts & Game Lodges, Kenya.

Now in its fifth year, the African Business Awards is the key annual event for the African Business World and is much sort after by Africa’s leading companies and entrepreneurs. Organized by African Business Magazine (ABM), and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), the African Business Awards has become a platform to celebrate excellence and best practices in African business and recognizes those who have driven Africa’s rapidly transforming economy- under which Serena Hotels was seen to have undoubtedly contributed.
“Recognition for excellence is an honor in itself, and challenge to continue giving nothing but the best service and product and we are grateful at the challenge this recognition bestows on us”, said Mahmud Janmohamed- the Managing Director Serena Hotels.

The Serena Hotels spans some of the most evocative, exotic and enchanting destinations in the world. With a portfolio of 25 Hotels, Luxury Camps, Safari Lodges and Resorts located in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique, and Managing properties in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, the Serena Hotels service profile guarantees unprecedented luxury, extensive amenities and unrivalled warmth and personal attention. The focus has been on product quality, high service standards and guest satisfaction and with this combination, Serena Hotels will definitely continue in its quest to be the Hotel of choice for any discerning traveller.

http://www.theserenaexperience.com/sere ... ica-award/
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