Bujumbura — The potential of Bujumbura as a tourism destination is finally being realised, if the interest by major hotel chains in the tiny East African heart shaped country is anything to go by.

The Hilton Hotel group was the first to sign a complete buyout contract of USD 6 million after beating three other bidders to take the Novotel, a high value hotel in the center of the city that had faced difficulties in management.

The Hilton group was represented by its subgroup Opulent. The Novotel had been previously owned by a conglomeration of shareholders, government being the biggest shareholder and others being major banks and other private companies.

The Hilton signed a memorandum of Understanding in August 2010 and has already paid a first instalment of USD 100,000 as a guarantee and should start renovations in a short while.

The balance is to paid out in three instalments. It is unclear whether the adjacent run-down Hotel Le Doyen will also be taken up.

In the meanwhile the process of divesting the biggest government owned hotel the Hotel Source Du Nil is nearing completion with a number of international and regional bidders interested.

The Serena hotel group has also expressed interest in the proceedings.

This is the biggest property where major government functions are usually held implying the winner is in for good business.