Lonrho, a prominent African business group, has selected Utell Hotels & Resorts to provide international sales, marketing and representation services for the fast-expanding arm of their hotel business.

Lonrho invests and builds businesses in Africa, and has a corporate strategy focused on facilitating the economical development of the Continent. Operating in five industry sectors – infrastructure, transport, agribusiness, hotels and support services – Lonrho is dedicated to building tangible operational businesses that promote job creation, assist poverty reduction, and are an integral part of African economic development.

Primarily targeting business travellers, Lonrho Hotels is committed to providing guests with a high standard of accommodation and facilities through their selection of four- and five-star properties. These include the Hotel Cardoso in Mozambique and the Grand Karavia in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, Lonrho will very shortly open a five-star hotel in Libreville, Gabon, and is in the process of acquiring more properties which will be added to the Utell portfolio.

Each property will benefit from Utell's vast range of business-generating solutions, including access to corporate business through Utell's global preferred partnerships and programmes with international TMC's (travel management companies), online distributors and global corporate markets.

"This strategic alliance with Utell is a bold and value-enhancing move for Lonrho Hotels," said Ewan Cameron, CEO of Lonrho Hotels. "Utell's strengths in GDS and corporate travel are key to our focus on generating new business and providing enhanced revenue-driving tactics. Consistent with our commitment to the business traveller, this partnership makes Lonrho Hotels easier to book, offering business travel agencies real-time access to each of our properties.

"We are making a long-term investment to ensure both business travel agencies and business travellers know they benefit whenever they choose Lonrho Hotels. It is our intention that all Lonrho Hotels' luxury properties will be added to the Utell portfolio and bookable under the UI chain code. Furthermore, travel agents will have their commission payments guaranteed through Utell's essential agency commissions programme 'Travelcom' to ensure their fees are paid quickly and accurately," added Cameron.

Additionally, Utell will provide Lonrho Hotels with voice reservations in multiple languages via Utell's global network of international call centres, available 24 hours a day.

John Owens, senior vice president of global sales for Utell Hotels & Resorts said, "Lonrho provides an exciting and varied addition to the Utell portfolio. We are delighted to welcome the group, and look forward to delivering international reservations through our wide network of sales, marketing and distribution programmes, proven to empower partner hotels with key new business opportunities."