By Dickson Bandera
Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has invested US$2.5 million to refurbish and expand Montclair Resort and Conference in Nyanga, increasing its accommodation capacity from 85 to 110 rooms as it moves to strengthen tourism and conferencing business in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands.
The refurbishment is expected to enable the resort to host larger conferences, corporate retreats, weddings, sporting events and leisure visitors while boosting tourism in the Nyanga area.
RTG chief executive Tendai Madziwanyika said the investment forms part of the group’s strategy to position the Eastern Highlands as a major tourism destination complementing Victoria Falls.
“RTG’s strategy is to position the Eastern Highlands as one of Zimbabwe’s most compelling tourism alternatives to Victoria Falls. While Victoria Falls remains the country’s leading international tourism destination, the Eastern Highlands offers a different but equally attractive combination of mountains, forests, waterfalls, outdoor adventure, heritage, cooler weather and scenic landscapes,” he said.
The additional rooms were created mainly by converting underutilised space within the existing hotel, including former storage facilities and office space, allowing the group to expand capacity without constructing a new accommodation wing.
RTG said the project is expected to improve occupancy levels, increase room yields and grow revenue from accommodation, conferencing, food and beverage services.
The hospitality group acquired Montclair Resort in 2025 and has since integrated the property into its reservations, procurement, operations and revenue management systems.
Madziwanyika said the expanded resort would not only benefit RTG but also stimulate economic activity across Nyanga by creating business opportunities for smaller accommodation providers, tour operators, transport operators, event planners, farmers and other local enterprises.
“A stronger Montclair can attract larger conferences and events that may not otherwise come to Nyanga, while surrounding businesses benefit from additional room demand, transport requirements, local excursions, food supplies and visitor expenditure,” he said.
RTG is also exploring plans to construct an additional 40-room accommodation block to meet growing demand for conference and leisure facilities.
The refurbishment includes environmentally sustainable technologies such as smart energy-management systems, water-efficient flushing systems and low-flow shower technology aimed at reducing utility consumption and operating costs.
The investment comes as RTG continues to record strong financial performance. The group reported a 29 percent increase in revenue during the first half of 2026, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) more than doubled as occupancy improved across all its business units.
The company says the expansion of Montclair is expected to strengthen the Eastern Highlands’ appeal as a tourism, conferencing and events destination while supporting broader economic growth in the region.
