Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, has welcomed the development of a new R680 million hotel in the Cape Town CBD.
Tsogo Sun has reached an agreement with the owners of the recently demolished Tulip hotel for the construction of a new 500-bedroom hotel complex on the corners of Buitengracht and Strand streets.
Construction is expected to begin next month and be completed by September 2017.
“I’m pleased that Tsogo Sun have decided to expand their offering in the city centre, which already includes The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront and Southern Sun Cape Sun. Tsogo Sun’s continued investment into the Western Cape speaks to the confidence they have in our province as a business destination,” said MEC Winde.
The new hotel development will include a 200-bedroom SunSquare hotel and a 300-bedroom StayEasy hotel. The complex will offer banqueting and conference facilities. MEC Winde said the Cape Town International Convention Centre’s expansion meant there would be an increase in demand for accommodation in the city centre.
“The expansion of the CTICC is set to double the centre’s existing exhibition capacity. We will see an increase in the number and size of conferences, resulting in more business travellers to our region. Developments, such as the Tsogo Sun’s new hotel, will cater to the Western Cape’s projected increase in business tourism.”
MEC Winde said Project Khulisa had identified the tourism sector as a major focus area for the province for the next five years. The Western Cape Government, in partnership with the private sector, are participating in design labs, to plot the growth strategy for the sector.
Speaking from the design lab this afternoon, MEC Winde said: “Tourism is our fastest growing sector, employing over 204 000 people in formal jobs and generating R17 billion for our local economy. Over the next five years, under a high growth scenario, this sector has the potential to add a further 100 000 formal jobs. To reach these targets we have to stay competitive so we can continue to increase tourist numbers.”
The two-day design lab started yesterday.
For media queries:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
Twitter: bronwynnejooste
