InterContinental Hotels Group announced the opening of its new Holiday Inn® in Mutare, Zimbabwe, the franchised property, owned by African Sun Limited, features 96 rooms, an outdoor pool and a meeting room capable of seating 250 people.

It is located in the heart of the city centre with significant business activity across the forestry, citrus farming and mining industries.

Outside of Southern Africa, the UAE is Zimbabwe’s biggest export market. Mutare is positioned in the diamond mining region of Zimbabwe, and close to the Tete Province, a coal mining region in Mozambique. Zimbabwe imports machinery, electrical and electronic equipment from the UAE, and its largest exports are in the diamond industry.

Commenting on the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said: “Africa represents huge untapped opportunities for a variety of industries across the region. We’re thrilled to announce the opening in Mutare as we believe that it will further support business travel between the Middle East, and Africa. We are especially proud to continue working with established partners such as African Sun Limited who also own several other properties with us. We are excited to begin welcoming guests to the Holiday Inn Mutare.”

Edwin T Shangwa, Managing Director, African Sun, said: “We are happy to be partnering with IHG once again. We have successfully launched two Holiday Inn hotels together, and have seen great success across both properties. Now that the hotel has opened its doors, it will benefit equally from IHG’s global distribution systems, strong brand portfolio and loyalty programmes.”

The Holiday Inn Mutare is the third Holiday Inn franchised property with the African Sun Limited. The Holiday Inn Harare and Holiday Inn Bulawayo have both performed to brand standards and present further opportunities for growth. The new Holiday Inn property in Mutare increases IHG and Africa Sun’s footprint to a total of 351 rooms.