Bahir Dar Resort Hotel may be managed by ACCOR

By Yifredew Ayehu

The General Manager of Bahir Dar Tour and Travel Agency, Wondossen Lakew, disclosed that a French company by the name of Accor is negotiating with Bahir Dar Resort Hotel to operate the resort when it becomes open to the public this coming January. The French business group operates hotels in 19 countries.
In an exclusive interview with Capital Wondossen disclosed that the resort has been looking for foreign managers for sometime and was able to contact Accord through the Ethiopian Embassy in Paris. Negotiations were interrupted in 1998 because of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war. Asked why they preferred foreigners, Wondossen replied that the reason is to gain from foreign experience and to able to offer the best service possible to tourists.
The construction of the hotel started in 1998 by Varnero Construction and SB Consultant on LakeTana, the country’s largest lake. Wondossen also noted that the opening of the hotel was delayed due to various reasons. But the construction of the building is nearing completion now and equipment and furniture is being imported. The initial cost of construction of the hotel was estimated at 46 million Birr but delay caused by the death of the owner, Ato Mekonnen Gebeyehu, and currency devaluation forced it up to 75 million Birr.