Wyndham Hotel Group Signs First Upscale Property in Africa
NAIROBI, Kenya (Sept. 25, 2014) – Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with approximately 7,540 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced the signing of a management agreement for the first upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts® property in Africa, the Wyndham Amboseli Golf Resort and Spa, close to the Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
The 290-room resort, complete with an 18-hole golf course, conference centre and spa, is expected to open in 2017, becoming the second Wyndham Hotel Group brand to launch in the country following the signing earlier this year of the first Ramada® hotel in Nairobi.
The addition of Wyndham Amboseli Golf Resort and Spa continues the rapid growth of the company's namesake brand in the Middle East and Africa, joining five other Wyndham Hotels and Resorts properties under development in the region. Other locations under construction include the iconic twisted glass façade of Wyndham Grand Manama in Bahrain and the 497-room Wyndham Dubai Marina in the United Arab Emirates, both expected to open in 2015.
"As Kenya's economy continues to grow, demand continues to increase for internationally renowned, world-class brands in virtually all segments, from budget through to upscale and extended stay," said Bani Haddad, Wyndham Hotel Group's regional vice president for the Middle East and Africa. "With Wyndham Amboseli Golf Resort and Spa catering to discerning leisure and business travellers and Ramada Nairobi welcoming business guests in the capital, Wyndham Hotel Group will be well placed to cater to both international and domestic travel needs in Kenya."
Wyndham Amboseli Golf Resort and Spa will be located approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, bordering the country's second most-visited national park. Offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding nature reserves, the resort will combine state-of-the-art, flexible meeting space with fitness facilities including swimming pools and a tennis court.
"Our vision for the 400-acre site was to create a new class of luxury resort incorporating not only world-class golf and spa facilities but also a 300-delegate capacity, international standard conference centre as well as serviced plots for the development of private cottages," said Dr. Anthony Monyo, chairman of Wyndham Amboseli Golf Resort and Spa. "The Wyndham® brand, with its upscale positioning and strong global footprint, provided the ideal fit and we are extremely proud to be partnering with Wyndham Hotel Group to bring the brand to Africa for the first time."
In addition to the 18-hole championship golf course, the development will include what is expected to be the country's first executive nine-hole course, designed for golf enthusiasts with limited time.
Guests staying at the hotel who are members of Wyndham Rewards®, the free-to-join guest loyalty programme of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and parent company Wyndham Hotel Group, will be able to earn valuable points during their stay. Points may be redeemed for a wide variety of reward options including free hotel stays, air travel, gift cards for leading retailers and more. Information is available at www.wyndhamrewards.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,200 hotels across over 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 872,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 24 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 106 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
The Company may use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company's website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company's website in addition to following the Company's press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
About Wyndham Rewards
Named the number one hotel rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world's most generous rewards program with more than 50,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide.
Designed for the everyday traveller, members earn a guaranteed 1,000 points with every qualified stay and may redeem points for a wide range of rewards, including free nights at any of the approximately 9,100 hotels or tens of thousands of vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally through affiliation with Wyndham Destinations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 103 million enrolled members globally. Join for free today at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You've earned this. ®
