The National Social Security Authority (Nssa) is looking into turning the $49 million Beitbridge Hotel into residential flats for civil servants stationed at the border town. The hotel has been vacant since June 2016 after Rainbow Tourism Group moved from the building citing recurrent losses. The group had lost $2 million over two years.
A source close to the developments told the Zimbabwe Independent
We do not hope to recoup our investment anytime soon but it is better to collect rentals and be earning something no matter how little it is than to let the hotel continue being a white elephant.
However, the authority’s general manager, Elizabeth Chitiga said:
Options under consideration include redevelopment of the hotel into conference rooms, retail shops, offices and long term accommodation by converting some of the rooms into one-bedroom flats. The public will be updated as and when significant developments materialise,
The hotel was initially budgeted for $3 million but ended up costing $49 million.
More: The Zimbabwe Independent