Wednesday, November 20, 2013

TANZANIA OFFERS AFRICA'S FIRST UNDERWATER HOTEL ROOM

Tanzania’s Pemba Island has become the first in Africa to put up an underwater hotel room. An investor in Pemba Island is taking offering Swedish-designed leisure beneath the sea in a bid to cash in more millions from the rich.
Manta Resort has opened a plush hotel room beneath the Indian Ocean. At the cost of $900 (Tshs. 1,485,000) per night, you can share your world with sea creatures including fish.
Manta, which operates a 16 bed-room resort, hopes to cash in undersea tourism, which is relatively new in Africa. The facility has already become an important attraction to tourists, especially divers.
Designed by Genberg Underwater Hotels, the three-storey structure is built using building materials that allow it to float. Located about 250 meters offshore, the room is submerged 13 feet below sea level. The room also has plenty of windows to allow guests watch fish and other sea creatures swim by. Above the water, two additional floors provide an airier atmosphere, including a terrace perfect for sunbathing by day and stargazing by night
The bathroom and a lounge area are at sea level. At night, spotlights under the windows attract and illuminate squid and octopus -- a more reclusive crowd than the daytime sea life. The entire hotel can also be raised above the water in event of an evacuation or for repairs,  it can be towed somewhere else.
The management was quoted saying six people have already slept in the room since it was opened on November 1. Manta opened its doors in August 2008 with 16 rooms. The underwater room makes these 17. Pemba is renowned for being a great diving spot with a plethora of sea life to be found.

No comments:

Post a Comment