The Pestana Group’s hotel brand, Pestana Hotels & Resorts, invested 20 Million Dollars on the construction of the Caracas Pestana, the Portuguese group’s first hotel in Venezuela. With this, the ninth unit in South America, the main Portuguese player in the hotel sector consolidates its international expansion strategy which now includes units in 8 countries: Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Mozambique, South Africa, Cape Verde, São Tomé e Principe and now, Venezuela.
The Caracas Pestana is a 5 star hotel in the Venezuelan capital, strategically located in the city’s business and commerce centre. Already under construction, the opening of this new Pestana Tourism unit is planned for the last quarter of 2007. It will provide nearly 312 rooms and 3,000 m2 of conference, meeting and event rooms. The Caracas Pestana will also offer the largest, most modern and innovative multi-use room in Caracas.
A modern and sophisticated SPA which will occupy the hotel’s top floor will have glass walls and roof, allowing clients to enjoy a unique 360º view over Caracas.
The Caracas Pestana’s priority markets will be the local one (prodigal in the organisation of social events), and the local and international business markets. Americans, Europeans and South Americans will be this new unit’s main markets (the USA as well as Europe and Brazil have direct, daily flights to Caracas).
A key part of the conclusion of this phase of Pestana Tourism’s international expansion was the strict collaboration with the Venezuelan government, especially the direct involvement of the Ministers for Tourism and Foreign Affairs. Currently Venezuela is focusing on tourism and therefore Pestana Tourism’s investment is seen as a great capital gain for the country.
Pestana Tourism’s focus on this new destination is a result of efforts made behind the Group’s international expansion strategy, which aims to consolidate growth in South America. This expansion has encountered solid foundations in the strong synergies created with other Pestana Tourism hotels in Latin America (Brazil and Argentina). Another key point is the low level of supply in the hotel market in Caracas, most of which are of poor quality and highly priced.
With the new Caracas Pestana, the Portuguese Group’s presence abroad encompasses 8 countries, subsequent to a strategy of consolidation in Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Mozambique, South Africa, Cape Verde and São Tomé e Príncipe. Expansion to other markets is planned, specifically those with more affinity to Portugal and the Portuguese language, and other South American countries.