HOSPITALITY concern, Rainbow Tourism Group, has invested US$1 million to refurbish three of its properties as it moves to renew the tourism product.
The properties that were refurbished in the first quarter of the year are the New Ambassador Hotel, Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel and A’Zambezi River Lodge.
RTG has invested US$26 million in hotel refurbishments over the past five years.
“The group conducted the refurbishment of its three properties during January and February 2025,” RTG said in a trading update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
At the New Ambassador Hotel, the guest rooms underwent a comprehensive refurbishment, including the full replacement of furniture and fittings, as well as the upgrading of bathrooms with contemporary fixtures and enhanced amenities, aimed at delivering a refreshed and modern guest experience, it said.
RTG completed the remaining 50% of room refurbishments at Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel, finalising the full hotel upgrade.
For A’Zambezi River Lodge, the group refreshed guest rooms with updated furnishings, lighting and enhanced amenities.
“The total investment for these refurbishments was US$1 million,” RTG said.
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During the first quarter, hotel occupancy was flat at 48%, from the same period last year.
The group’s revenues increased by 2% to US$8,7 million, from the comparative period in 2024.
“The revenue growth was driven by an increase in conference volumes, particularly in city hotels, underscoring robust demand for meetings and events,” RTG said.
“Notably, this performance was achieved despite refurbishment-related disruptions at three hotels— the New Ambassador Hotel, A’Zambezi River Lodge and Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel.”
RTG remains optimistic about its performance for the year.
“This positive outlook is underpinned by a diversified hospitality offering and ongoing domestic and regional expansion initiatives in line with the group’s strategic thrust,” RTG said.
“The group’s tour operations subsidiary, Heritage Expeditions Africa, continued its growth trajectory, with revenues and activities increasing by 20%,” RTG said.
“This growth was driven by rising demand for tours around Zimbabwe, and this momentum is expected to be sustained throughout the remainder of the year.”
RTG has strategically positioned itself to benefit from the continued recovery and growth of leisure tourism in the Victoria Falls market, as well as the expansion of conferencing activity in urban centres.
It also increased its footprint through the acquisition of the Montclair Resort & Conference in the Eastern Highlands.
