Capital Hotels launches US$16.4m Gqeberha project near Boardwalk Casino
The new apartment hotel is set to benefit from tourism and business demand in the Boardwalk precinct, where it has direct access to the casino, beachfront and shopping centre.
South Africa.- Capital Hotels Group has opened The Capital Boardwalk in Gqeberha, a R270m (US$16.4m) aparthotel developed in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The project adds 145 hotel rooms and apartments to the Boardwalk precinct and is the group’s first presence in the Eastern Cape.
The Boardwalk Casino, one of the precinct’s key attractions, features slot machines, table games, and sports betting facilities alongside restaurants and entertainment offerings. Capital Hotels said the project is structured to capture demand from both leisure and business travellers, with casino tourism and coastal entertainment expected to play a central role in occupancy and revenue performance.
The development forms part of a broader expansion in South Africa’s hospitality sector, which has been supported by rising international arrivals and increased intra-African travel. Industry data shows the country welcomed 10.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, a sharp year-on-year increase that has driven growth across hotels, resorts and entertainment-linked developments.
Capital Hotels chief executive Marc Wachsberger said the project had already contributed to job creation during its early stages, with more than 200 positions reportedly supported through construction and initial operations.
The Gqeberha project marks Capital Hotels’ 12th development in South Africa and expands its existing partnership with the IDC in the hospitality sector, following earlier investments such as the Mbombela project launched in 2021.
