Plaza Premium to open world-class lounge at JNIA in September

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s position as a leading African tourism and aviation destination is set to receive a further boost when Plaza Premium Group opens a new passenger lounge at Julius Nyerere International Airport in September.

The planned facility will introduce the group’s globally recognised airport hospitality services to the country, while creating a new platform for promoting Tanzanian culture, food and hospitality to international travellers.
Plaza Premium Group Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa, Emrecan Ergin, said Tanzania was selected because of its expanding international connectivity and increasingly important place in Africa’s tourism industry.

“Tanzania represents much more than a new location on our global footprint,” Ergin said.

“We see a country with strong potential, growing international connectivity and an increasingly important role as a tourism destination in Africa.”

He said the company intends to contribute to Tanzania’s tourism growth by working with airport authorities, airlines, financial institutions, travel agencies and destination management companies.

“Our ambition is to bring our global hospitality expertise to Tanzania, be part of the country’s growing tourism ecosystem and contribute to its growing success,” he said.

The lounge will have a seating capacity of 86 and will be situated about two to three minutes from the departure gates. It will include showers, charging stations, comfortable seating and dining facilities.

Its food and beverage offering will feature freshly prepared dishes, premium coffee, juices and other beverages designed to serve passengers from different markets.

Ergin said the Dar es Salaam facility would combine Plaza Premium’s international standards with local identity.
“In each lounge, you will see cultural elements, local artists and design elements,” he said. “We call it proudly local.”

He added that local influence would extend beyond the lounge’s appearance to food, beverages, greetings and the wider hospitality experience.

The company operates in about 600 international and domestic airports across more than 150 countries and serves approximately 30 million travellers annually through lounges, airport hotels, dining facilities and passenger services.

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Its network includes Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, all of which provide important links to Tanzania.

Ergin said the company expects to use that network to increase awareness of the country’s attractions among international passengers.

“Millions of travellers are using our lounges in countries directly connected to Tanzania,” he said. “We look forward to supporting Tanzania’s growing tourism ecosystem and introducing what travellers can enjoy and experience in Tanzania.”

The investment comes as Tanzania continues to strengthen the quality of infrastructure and services supporting tourism, trade and international travel. A better airport experience can reinforce the country’s wider image from the moment visitors arrive until they depart.

Plaza Premium’s wider portfolio includes airport transit hotels, restaurants, meet-and-greet services, fast-track assistance, baggage support, transfers, porter services and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.
Ergin said the company would assess local passenger needs before deciding which additional services could be introduced.

“Each airport has different needs and different passenger profiles,” he said. “We study in detail what is necessary to enhance the overall airport experience.”

Ergin has served as Plaza Premium Group’s Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa since October 2025. He joined the company in 2020 and previously managed its operations in Türkiye and Hungary. He is based at the group’s regional headquarters in Riyadh.

Plaza Premium Group Africa board member Julius Kilonzo said Tanzania’s strong tourism appeal means it is attracting travellers who expect high-quality services throughout their journeys.

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“High-end tourists also expect high-end standards,” Kilonzo said, adding that Plaza Premium’s international network could help market Tanzania through airports across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The lounge’s September opening will therefore represent more than an addition to the airport terminal. It will support Tanzania’s efforts to improve visitor services, strengthen global connectivity and position hospitality as a central part of national tourism competitiveness.