Athul LalLondon: Serena Hotels & Resorts is all set to commission Goma Serena Hotel in Northern Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) early next year. Talking to Destination Reporter, on the sidelines of WTM London 2019, Rosemary Mugambi, Regional Sales & Marketing Director, Serena Hotels & Resorts said the 5-star property at Northern Kivu in DRC – within just 10 minutes’ drive from the airport – will offer stunning views of fresh water lake Kivu, Africa’s 8th largest lake and would provide guests with authentic Congolese experiences. “We have been one of the premium hospitality brands in East Africa. Serena is very particular about having the right impact in the growing economies. Africa is a wonderful example of what Serena can do in terms of impacting positively on the lives of local people and economy by promoting tourism,” she said.
Currently, Serena has presence in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda), Mozambique and South Asia (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan). “Today, travellers look for experiences and hence we are developing Serena Signature Experiences at our properties that really make the clients identify with us and with the destination. For instance, the Hippo Pool Breakfast, wherein guests can have their breakfast at a secluded and shady spot on the banks of the Mara River as hippos bask in the warming sun. In this natural and exquisite setting, our chefs will serve a sumptuous breakfast of sparkling wine, freshly squeezed juices and chilled tropical fruits,” she said.
In 2017, Serena Hotels appointed Nijhawan Group as its representative in India. “We are extremely happy with our association with Nijhawan Group, which has been helping us in promoting the brand in India. The India market is an extremely important one for Serena Hotels, as it has consistently shown potential as Indian travellers are now really exploring East Africa. Besides, for many years, Serena Hotels has been part of Kenya’s efforts to tap the India market. Now, Kenya Tourism has plans to increase the number of Indian travellers by 10 per cent in the coming year. Hence, for the India market, our strategy will also be aligned to this target,” she signed off.
