Opportunity to Invest in Proposed New Hotel in Kasane, Botswana

Invest in a proposed new hotel in Kasane, Botswana, a hotspot for tourism in the region. The site for the hotel is in a great place to attract clients and good business.

This is not only a way of maximising profits; it is an opportunity to empower the local community through direct and indirect employment, therefore helping in the alleviation of poverty.

I am in the process of acquiring a commercial plot on the outskirts of Kasane, Botswana, zoned for tourism and upon which I wish to develop a mid- to high-end luxury hotel/boutique hotel for international and regional tourists/travellers.

The plot (about 2.0 hectares with a title deed) is owned by a shelf company as its only asset. I am planning to buy the company together with the land it owns. The site for the proposed hotel is located in Kasane, Botswana, a tourism hotspot in Southern Africa. It is close to the entrance gate in to the Chobe National Park, it is a short drive to Chobe River/Zambezi River confluence as well as the Botswana borders with Zambia and Zimbabwe. The proposed trading name for the hotel is Kasane Airport Hotel given the plots proximity to Kasane International Airport.

The business will provide 4-5 star luxury accommodation with a proposed 80-120 keys (combining guest suites, executive suites and presidential suites), business/conference facilities, leisure services, food and beverages, and associated services through impeccable customer service to clients. Airport transport will be offered to all clients and boat cruises and game drives will be arranged with partner tour operator companies on behalf of clients.
It is a startup business set to distinguish itself from the competition by offering nothing but the best hospitality service possible, therefore making the hotel a second home away from home for the clients. Inclusion of a spa/health centre and a 24 hour gym will be a unique marketing tool to attract today’s travellers with relaxation and health in mind. The structure itself should stand out from the crowd as an eco-friendly technological and architectural icon.

The hotel will focus mainly on international clients especially Australian, Asian, European and American tourists. A franchise with top end hotel brand will give it international recognition and make marketing and bookings easier through the international brand's own central booking system. Peak season for international tourists in Kasane is usually from March to September based on animal migration patterns. Off-peak season rates will be reduced to cater to regional and local travellers and offer them a taste of luxury. Conferences, wedding ceremonies, birthday parties and other business/leisure ceremonies/meetings will be especially heavily marketed in the off-peak season to keep the hotel busy.

Given the growth of Asia in recent years, efforts will be made to attract as many affluent Asian travellers as possible through online marketing, social networking, liaising with hotels/tourism personnel in those countries to ensure that Kasane Airport Hotel becomes their number one destination in Botswana. The business will form partnerships with travel agencies, car rental companies, airlines, hotels in major tourist cities and towns like Johannesburg, Cape town, Swakopmond, Windhoek, Livingstone, Maun and Gaborone to offer package deals that include Kasane Airport Hotel in their travel routes. Customer needs will at all times take centre stage in the company’s daily business. Since the hotel will be located some 5-10 minutes away from Kasane International Airport it will be the first accommodation facility that tourists will come across and those without pre-booked lodging arrangements will be tempted to check-in upon inspection.

The biggest advantage is proximity to the airport and the fact that it will be the only hotel to be built with a spa in mind from the ground up. To put the hotel on a much better pedestal I intend to franchise one of the big brands to assist with marketing and booking through a central system.

Tourism in Botswana is a flourishing industry and the peak season for international tourists is between March and September. The off-peak season is not usually very busy because of reduced wildlife movement in the National Park so this presents an opportunity for the hotel to reduce prices and attract local and regional travellers. This period could also be a time when conferences, meetings, and ceremonies could be hosted.

The biggest opportunity in this market other than providing quality accommodation and services is the incorporation of a spa/health centre into the hotel/resort with a soothing theme. Most of the other hotels/lodges just provide basic accommodation and this is an opportunity to customise services to the needs of individual customers.

The initial funds of $20,000 - $25,000 will be used to carry out the land valuation and feasibility study. Once the feasibility study proves the project viable about 25-40% of the estimated cost of the projected will be asked for from the investor/partner. The rest of the funding will be sourced from the local banking industry.

The investor will own between 25 and 40% of the business depending on how much they contribute towards the whole project. I do not want a loan especially for the feasibility study and land valuation hence I am offering equity in the company.

Given the busy and highly profitable nature of the business investors should expect high rates of return within the first 3 years of starting operations. The role the investor wants to play can be negotiated. The investor will be asked to pay the funds on a pro rata basis as the project will be developed in phases.