Kagame inaugurates $25m Singita Kwitonda Lodge, says it’s beyond high-end <\/p>\n
President Paul Kagame yesterday inaugurated Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House, a state of the art and luxurious building to host tourists in the Nyange sector, Musanze district at the foothills of Gahinga and Muhabura Volcanoes. <\/p>\n
As he addressed participants at the inauguration, Kagame expressed delight to join the event and acknowledged Paul Milton, \u2018whose firm led the construction of this beautiful facility, working with a team of Rwandan and international consultants. Congratulations on a job well done\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs said earlier, we were talking about high-end. For a property like this to be built in Rwanda, the conversation was about that being possible. Now I discover that this is higher-end than the end I was talking about. So it has exceeded my expectations. I have a tendency to keep my expectation very high, and this one has gone beyond that,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Kagame also thanked Mikael Andren, representing the owner, Paul Tudor Jones calling him a very special investor, who is equally committed to African conservation and the development of the hospitality sector on the African continent especially raising Rwanda\u2019s brand. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe tour we just had was really very impressive. Singita is one of the world\u2019s top hotel brands and Rwanda is happy to be associated with the company. And I think you have raised Rwanda\u2019s brand as well. So we thank you,\u201d he highlighted. <\/p>\n
President Kagame said that a good illustration of the facility is the care taken to make the lodge sustainable, \u2018as we wish to make many things in Rwanda\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes the choice of building materials and construction methods; the reduced energy footprint; and the ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance the surrounding landscape. Like Singita, Rwanda is striving to offer visitors the highest levels of service. Quality must be the hallmark of the \u201cVisit Rwanda\u201d experience. This is what we all work toward,\u201d he emphasized. <\/p>\n
Kagame also urged the people in the neighborhood of the facility to work hard to meet the demand that the lodge has created in terms of what needs to be consumed. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to work together to keep adding value to this asset that has been put in our hands by the gracious investors. We want everyone to be happy and we will do our part,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The Founder of Singita, Luke Bailes thanked President Kagame among others that made the establishment of Singita in Rwanda possible following five years involved in different activities in the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are pleased to play a role in the preservation of the environment and contributing to the hospitality sector in Rwanda,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi said that Rwanda continues to receive tourists and therefore need diversification whereby Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House is additional to beautiful facilities attracting tourists in Rwanda. <\/p>\n
Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House comprise of eight environment-friendly buildings of which the majority of materials were from Rwanda. <\/p>\n
Singita Kwitonda Lodge was completed at a cost of US$25 million. <\/p>\n
The first among tourists who booked the facility will be hosted on 5th August 2019. <\/p>\n
Singita is among projects expected to help Rwanda earn US$800 million in 2024 up from US$438 million in 2017.<\/p>\n
Singita invested in tourism and hospitality sector since 1993. It has lodged in Tanzania (in Grumeti Game Reserve and Lamai), in Zimbabwe (Singita Pamushana Lodge) and South Africa (Singita Sweni Lodge and Singita Sabi Sand.)
\n