Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into an agreement with ASB Tanzania Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albwardly Investments, to manage Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The city center hotel commenced operating as Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro on August 1, 2011.

Located in East Africa, just south of the equator along the Indian Ocean, Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro features180 rooms, including 18 suites, 2 restaurants and 3 bars, more than 900 square meters of meeting and event space, including a 400 meter ballroom and 9 banquet rooms, along with a spa, outdoor infinity pool and fitness center.
“The introduction of Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro expands the presence of the Hyatt brand to a key gateway city for Eastern Africa,” said Peter Norman, senior vice president, real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts - Europe, Africa, and Middle East.  Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro joins the existing Hyatt-branded hotels on the African continent: Hyatt Regency Casablanca in Morocco, Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort & Spa and Hyatt Regency Johannesburg, both in South Africa and Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort and Hyatt Regency Taba Heights, both in Egypt.

“We are extremely pleased to have the world-renowned Hyatt brand on our landmark Kilimanjaro property in the Tanzanian capital. They share our vision for the future which is to achieve even higher standards within the hospitality industry,” said owner Ali Albwardy, the Chairman of ASB Tanzania Ltd.

Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro is located on Kivukoni Street in the heart of the city, the largest in Tanzania, and has panoramic views of both the city and harbor, which is home to the country’s largest seaport. Originally built by the Tanzanian government in 1965, the hotel was purchased by its current owner in 2002 and underwent a $55 million dollar renovation, officially re-opening in 2005, since which time the hotel had been operating as The Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski.

“We are very happy to welcome Hyatt Regency Dar Es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro to the family of Hyatt-branded properties,” said Gebhard Rainer, managing director, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts - Europe, Africa, and Middle East. “The hotel’s terrific location and facilities should appeal to business and leisure travelers alike.”  Popular sites for travelers in Tanzania to visit include Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Ol DOnyo Lengai volcano.

There are currently more than 140 Hyatt Regency hotels around the world, with more than 25 additional under development.  Hyatt Regency hotels are conveniently located in urban, suburban, airport, convention and resort destinations around the world.  Property range in size up to 2,000 rooms and feature intimate and large meeting spaces, as well as a full range of services and dining options tailored to serve the needs of conventions, business travelers and resort vacationers.

City.Mobi

Also in Tanzania today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Dar es Salaam.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

DaresSalaam.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.