Protea Hotels, Africa’s largest hotel group continued to experience growth in 2009 with the opening of a series of new hotels throughout Africa. 2009 saw Protea Hotels celebrate its 25th anniversary with the group proving its status in the market though 5 recessions, by continuing to be the brand of choice with consumers both locally and internationally.
In December 2009, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces will open Taj Cape Town, its 80th hotel and its first in South Africa. This new landmark will offer the signature Indian hospitality and luxury accommodation synonymous with Asia's leading hotel group within South Africa's thriving cultural and tourism capital.
The heat of the coolest hotel in the country for the “forever young” set is spreading to Gauteng as Protea Hotels’ hip, urban and contemporary offering Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! - Melrose Arch is set to open its doors to the public in the first quarter of 2010.
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group and member of Dubai Holding, has recently signed an agreement with SGTM Immobilier, a subsidiary of Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc (SGTM), to manage the Jumeirah Marrakech Golf & Polo Resort, a new luxury golf and polo resort located seven kilometres to the south of Marrakech, in the lee of the Atlas Mountains. The entire negotiation and consultancy process has been conducted by Business Experts.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, further strengthens their presence in Africa and announces three new hotels in Nigeria: the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos (250 rooms), the Radisson Blu Hotel Abuja (200 rooms) and the Park Inn Abuja (125 rooms) are all scheduled to open in 2012. “These signings bring our portfolio in the emerging market Africa to a solid business featuring more than 30 hotels with 7,500 rooms in operation and under development, and secure our position as one of the leading hotel operators on the continent”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces the Park Inn Ulysse Resort & Thalasso, Djerba – the first Park Inn in Tunisia and Rezidor’s 25th property on the African continent. The hotel featuring 259 rooms is scheduled to open its doors in November 2009.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, further strengthens the portfolio in Africa: The group announces Park Inn Tete in Mozambique – the property featuring 116 rooms is scheduled to open on Q4 2010. Rezidor’s portfolio on the African continent now comprises close to 30 hotels and 6,855 rooms in operation and under development.
As Sofitel prepares to open the new 438-room Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach this September, the French-based company proudly announces five additional properties that will strengthen the brand’s worldwide portfolio. In the United Arab Emirates, the brand is developing the Sofitel Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road and the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Capital Plaza. In China, three new contracts have been signed in the country’s eastern and southeastern regions. These five new Sofitel properties are already under construction and scheduled to begin opening at the end of 2010. These openings will bring a total of 2,000 additional rooms to the hotel’s prestigious presence in these regions.
Hours after G-20 leaders agreed to a trillion-dollar bailout of the world economy in chilly London, one of the world's most flamboyant hoteliers opened his latest luxury hotel in sunny South Africa. Sol Kerzner admits opening an uber-luxury hotel in the current economic climate is not ideal, but he still firmly believes his latest venture -- One&Only -- in Cape Town's waterfront will be a success. Across his global hotel empire, from Atlantis in the Bahamas to the Royal Mirgae in Dubai, he admits accommodation rates are down. However, he says, there is still a market for high-end hotels -- guests are just changing the way they travel.
The Rezidor Hotel Group (STO:REZT), one of the fastest growing hotels companies worldwide, announces the Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, Monastir in Tunisia. The existing 280 room-property will be re-branded and operated under the Radisson Blu brand as of November 2009.