ADDIS, ABABA, ETHIOPIA—At the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), hotel brands Hilton and Marriott revealed recent activity and plans for expansion in Africa.
Marriott Expects to Add 40 Hotels Across Africa by 2023
From the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia, Marriott International reinforced its commitment to Africa by revealing plans to add 40 properties and more than 8,000 rooms across the continent by the end of 2023.
The company also signed agreements to open its first property in Cape Verde and further expand its presence in Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria. Marriott’s development pipeline through 2023 is estimated to drive investment of more than $2 billion from property owners and is expected to generate more than 12,000 new jobs in Africa.
Marriott International’s current portfolio in Africa encompasses close to 140 properties with more than 24,000 rooms across 14 brands and 20 countries and territories.
Marriott’s expected growth through 2023 is driven by a strong demand and steady growth for its premium and select-service brands—led by Marriott Hotels with eight anticipated openings and six slated openings under Protea Hotels by Marriott. The company is expected to introduce the Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Element Hotels brands.
Marriott also continues to see growth opportunities for its luxury brands and expects to double its luxury portfolio in Africa by year-end 2023, with more than 10 new openings across The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection and JW Marriott brands. The company also expects to launch W Hotels in Africa with the opening of W Tangier in Morocco by 2023. Key markets fueling Marriott’s growth in Africa include Morocco, South Africa, Algeria and Egypt.
Hilton Reaches 100 Hotel Milestone in Africa
Hilton signed the Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayston, a deal that marks the first for the brand in Africa and a milestone of 100 hotels trading or under development on the African continent for Hilton in its centenary year.
A franchise agreement was signed with Afrirent Pty through its Indalo Hotels & Leisure subsidiary, a level one Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) third-party operating company. Indalo will be the operator of the 158-guestroom Hampton by Hilton hotel in Sandton, the financial capital of South Africa. This mid-market property will join Hilton’s flagship upscale Hilton Sandton, offering additional choice for travelers to the district commonly known as “Africa’s richest Square Mile.” Construction is scheduled to begin at the site on Grayston Dr. in early 2020 with first guests set to be welcomed by mid-2021.
Hilton has seen a rapid period of expansion in the focused-service segment through the Hilton Garden Inn brand, which has operational hotels in six African markets and a further 10 under development. Hampton by Hilton is expected to compliment this growth and provide owners and customers with greater choice.