Online Reporter
Kudakwashe Mugari
Deputy National Editor
Rainbow group is bullish about business prospects at its recently acquired asset, the Montclair Hotel and Casino in Nyanga, Manicaland Province, amid immediate and long-term strategic plans.
RTG purchased the Montclair Hotel and Casino from Briolette Services (Pvt) Ltd in November last year for US$5 million. The acquisition entailed the hotel, a portion of the surrounding land, the Claremont Golf Course lease and other buildings.
The group’s strategic 5-year plan for the new asset focused on making profits after one year, but within six months of taking over the hotel, the hotel had already broken even and started making profits. This followed several initiatives to unlock the potential of the business.
RTG’s management is optimistic about prospects and pins its hopes on the strategic location of the hotel at the heart of Nyanga and its breathtaking scenery, surrounded by panoramic views of rolling emerald hills.
Montclair is a 3-star hotel with 85 rooms and 2 big rooms for corporate conferences and meetings. The hotel is nestled in the Eastern Highlands, 87 kilometres from Mutare, Zimbabwe’s fourth largest and 250km from Harare
Montclair general manager Mr Mcloud Tsakatsa is optimistic about the new business’ prospects.
“After acquiring the hotel, we quickly executed our plans so that we would break even. We have started the refurbishment of the hotel and the rooms. Mock room is already done, as well as modelling around the mock room,” he said
“Complete turnaround already experienced in terms of occupancies, strategic direction, financial performance, cost containment,” he added.
“Since taking over, we have made significant improvements on the garden and grounds as well as product improvements.”
Mr Tsakatsa said they are ready to take advantage of opportunities presented by Manicaland’s hosting of the Sanganai/Hlangani Tourism Expo.
“We are happy Manicaland is hosting the Sanganani/Hlanganani Tourism expo and already we are fully booked. We have also been hosting corporates and private companies for their meetings and conferences, he said.
Montclair will also benefit significantly from the synergies created by becoming part of RTG. Leveraging RTG’s well-established brand equity, the hotel will deliver a seamless, high-quality experience to clients across the Group’s portfolio of resorts and business facilities.
This consistency will help strengthen customer loyalty and attract new clientele, enhancing Montclair’s competitive edge in the market. Additionally, the group’s robust marketing and distribution network will further elevate Montclair’s visibility, driving increased occupancy and revenue.
Moreover, Montclair will gain access to RTG’s operational expertise, achieving significant economies of scale in key business functions.
Procurement processes will be streamlined, allowing the hotel to benefit from centralised purchasing power, which will reduce costs for essential goods and services.
Administrative efficiencies will be realised through shared back-office functions such as finance, Information Technology, and legal services, enabling Montclair to focus on core operations.
RTG’s centralised training programmes and talent development initiatives will enhance staff expertise, ensuring a consistently high standard of service across all departments.
These synergies will position Montclair as a more efficient and competitive operation, contributing to sustainable profitability and long-term value creation for RTG shareholders.
