Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles to procure from local small holder farmers

Recently launched international hospitality brand, Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, says it is engaging local small holder farmers for produce supply to the hotel in a move aimed at empowering budding farmers.

The initiative is also in line with the hotel’s import substitution initiatives.

In line with the programme, the hospitality group will engage the farmers on quality controls to ensure they meet the standards required by the hotel, which is expected to cater for both local and international cuisines.

General manager, Tinashe Munjoma, revealed that while the group has imported fruits and vegetables from other countries like South Africa, they have made a deliberate move to increase local procurement from local producers, especially small holder farmers.

“With the coming of the Hyatt brand in the country, we have decided we are going to promote the local small farmers in Zimbabwe.

“So, we are going to identify small farmers and tell them what we want them to produce, the quality standards we are looking for then we can buy from them,” said Munjoma responding to questions during a recent briefing with journalists on the launch of the Hyatt Regency brand.

Apart from a partnership with the local producers, the hospitality group has also taken an initiative to manage its surroundings in a move to create the ambience that appeals to its visitors.

The group has partnered with local authority, the City of Harare in managing the Africa Unit Square, turning it into a clean and serene environment.

In line with this initiative, the hotel has drilled boreholes to ensure constant water supply in the park and resuscitation of its water fountain, planting fresh plants as well as managing Jason Moyo Avenue from 3rd Street to Sam Nujoma Street.

In 2019, Dubai-based Albwardy Investments bought Zimbabwe’s Meikles Hotel for US$20 million and vowed to upgrade the facility to international standards.

The hotel was placed under a Hyatt management contract resulting in the rebranding to Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, in a move that market watchers opine will boost the brand Zimbabwe placing it on the global tourism and hospitality map.

With over 50 years in business, the Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over- 40 countries around the world with a diverse portfolio from expansive resorts to urban city centres.

Now, its launch on the Zimbabwean market is a significant milestone on the country’s hospitality landscape bringing international and unique guest experience, combining elements of Zimbabwean hospitality with the Hyatt Regency brand’s signature excellence.

Originally established in 1915 as Meikles Hotel, the newly branded Hyatt Regency property has hosted renowned global personalities such as the late pop star Michael Jackson, Hilary Clinton and the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles the 3rd.

Munjoma said the new hotel will still maintain the Meikles culture, but now with a fusion of international feat that Hyatt Regency brings.

Currently, the hotel has a chef from the Hyatt group in addition to the local chef to create a fusion of international and local tastes that caters for all markets.

This is to ensure the culinary offerings delight guests looking for a range of dining options, whether it’s a fine dining experience, a live cooking culinary treat, a relaxed afternoon tea, or a refreshing cocktail at the bar.

“We have what we call the taskforce; these are employees from Hyatt, that will train our local employees on various aspects to match the Hyatt standards,” he said.-ebsuinessweekly