Modern conference facility opens in May
MARC NKWAME in Arusha, 8th February 2010 @ 11:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 28
The Arusha International Conference Center's 'Simba Hall' podium with a seating capacity of 1200 had until now been the largest in the country.
The yet to be named, the oval-shaped convention centre is currently under construction. The centre once completed in May, this year will be given an official name in line with Tanzania's tourist attractions.
The 'Ngurdoto' Conference Centre also seems to pre-empty the AICC's ongoing plans to come up with another, even larger, state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centre in Olorien area of the municipality.
The AICC's brainchild, whose value stands at 122 billion/- has yet to beg capacity of 7500, which means it will be the largest in the country and second-largest in East Africa.
Both the KICC and Ngurdoto ICC are set to reclaim Arusha's crown as doyenne of congress tourism, a position which was slowly but surely being stolen by Dar-es-salaam, Zanzibar and Bagamoyo.
''Most conference organizers prefer out-of-town locations where their delegates can concentrate on issues, but they also want to get everything under one roof and we intend to live up to such demands with our conference facilities,'' explained Mr Onunga.
The 'Ngurdoto' Conference Centre whose construction works started three years ago under both Chinese and local firms will feature the trademark podium, an underground restaurant, basement recreation centre, business centre and show rooms.
''Our conference package will also include optional tourism package to visit the Arusha National Park located adjacent to the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge or a cultural visit to the nearby traditional villages and farms.
The convention centre is set to complement the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, the legendary huge hotel comprising of 300 rooms (to be 400 by the end of this year) 16 presidential suites and a horizon-length lush landscape.
http://www.dailynews.co.tz/business/?n=7320&cat=business