Development Africa Press Releases - Hospitality Net

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September 2, 2014

Ethiopia – a Destination Crying Out for New Hotels

The increasing rate of inbound tourist arrivals and planned events/conferences is widening an already huge gap between demand for international-standard hotels and supply of accommodation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital. A search on Trip Advisor reveals just two international-class, five star hotels in the city, the Sheraton and the Radisson Blu - and anecdotes about delegates attending meetings at the Africa Union's headquarters having to travel up to 60 miles to find a bed for the night are not unknown.

August 22, 2014

Minor International and Sun International Announce Strategic Partnership

Minor International Pcl ("MINT") and Sun International Limited ("Sun International") announced today that terms have been agreed whereby: (i) Sun International is disposing a significant portion of its shareholdings and interest in its Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia operations, consisting of eight properties ("African Assets") to MINT for a total consideration of R679.5 million (USD 63.9 million), and (ii) Sun International and MINT are forming a new strategic partnership to own and operate the African Assets going forward ("Partnership"). The Partnership intends to leverage both companies' core strengths where Sun International will continue to manage the casino operations, while MINT will assume the hotel management, marketing and distribution under MINT's Anantara and AVANI brands.

August 20, 2014

Newly Constructed Protea Hotel Opens in Elite Suburb in Lagos, Nigeria

Nigeria's new 117-room Protea Hotel Select Ikeja opens its doors this week in the upmarket Lagos suburb of Ikeja. The internationally competitive hotel is just a stone's throw away from Ikeja City Mall & Lagos State Secretariat, and a mere 5.2km away from Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Accommodation at Protea Hotel Select Ikeja caters for corporate travellers with a variety of room types to suit GUESTS' needs, as well as a comfortable restaurant, bar and conference facilities for close to 60 people.

August 7, 2014

Marriott's CEO Charts Exponential Hotel Growth in Africa 2014-2020, Tripling Jobs

Joining U.S. President Barack Obama, 200 corporate CEOs from the U.S. and Africaand over 45 African heads of state at the US-Africa Business Forum tomorrow, Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) President and CEO Arne Sorenson will share the company's plans to reach over 150 hotels across 16 African countries, resulting in more than 25,000 jobs, between 2014-2020.

July 23, 2014

Business Leaders Share Tips for Doing Business in Africa

At a recent gathering of top executives, working on the agenda for the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) - Africa's top event for hotel investors, research was undertaken by the Forum's organiser, Bench Events, to find out what the essential principles are for doing business successfully in Africa.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

July 18, 2014

Hotel Investment Conference Africa (HICA) Announces Date, Location and Speaker Line Up

The internationally acclaimed, 8th annual Hotel Investment Conference Africa (HICA), to be held September 14-16, 2014, at the Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, promises to showcase a stellar line up of business leaders in the field of hotel development, investment and tourism.

Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)

Sandton, South Africa

July 15, 2014

Kempinski adds iconic Kigali hotel to its growing African portfolio

Kempinski Hotels officially took over the management of the famous Hôtel Des Milles Collines in Rwanda's capital Kigali at the beginning of the month. Hôtel Des Milles Collines by Kempinski will be the European luxury hotel company's ninth hotel operating on the continent, with three more hotels in Africa scheduled to open in the next six months.

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July 4, 2014

Hilton Worldwide Opens DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar - Stone Town, Tanzania

– Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar - Stone Town, located 64 kilometers (40 miles) off the coast of mainland Tanzania. Nestled in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town, the 58-room DoubleTree by Hilton Zanzibar - Stone Town offers a perfect base from which to experience the enchanting Island of Zanzibar. The hotel marks the brand's third hotel to open in the country.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

May 13, 2014

Wyndham Hotel Group to Launch Ramada Brand in Kenya

Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company with approximately 7,500 hotels and part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced plans to expand into Kenya after signing a franchise agreement for Ramada Nairobi, the first Wyndham Hotel Group property in the country.

May 9, 2014

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Continues Expansion Across Africa with the Signing of New Sheraton Kigali in Rwanda

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Century Park and Hotel Residences Ltd. to open a new Sheraton hotel in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Scheduled to open in 2018, Sheraton Kigali will mark Starwood’s entry into Rwanda and will be the company’s 50th hotel in Africa. With this signing, Starwood is on track to increase its African portfolio by over 30% with more than 15 new hotels to open over the next five years.

May 8, 2014

Starwood Continues Expansion Across Africa with New Sheraton Kigali in Rwanda

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Century Park and Hotel Residences Ltd. to open a new Sheraton hotel in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Scheduled to open in 2018, Sheraton Kigali will mark Starwood's entry into Rwanda and will be the company's 50th hotel in Africa. With this signing, Starwood is on track to increase its African portfolio by over 30% with more than 15 new hotels to open over the next five years.

April 24, 2014

HMH – Hospitality Management HoldingsFirms Up Presence in Sudan

With two new hotels due to open this year, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings announced its firm commitment to consolidating its presence in Sudan. Addressing an exclusive press conference in Khartoum, Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH, said, "Sudan is part of our 'Go Africa' strategy.With three hotels in operation and two under development we are strongly positioned in Sudan and well-placed to contribute to the growth of the local hospitality and tourism industry. We have got a strong portfolio of brands and are in intensive discussions with Sudanese Kuwaiti Hotels Company to consolidate and build on our strategic cooperation".

Khartoum, Sudan

April 16, 2014

Carlson Rezidor announces the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Sousse and the Radisson Blu Pearl Resort, Sousse in Tunisia

Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic and largest hotel groups worldwide, reinforces its presence in Tunisia with the signing of two hotels, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Sousse and the Radisson Blu Pearl Resort, Sousse. Both are existing properties now undergoing full renovation and transformation before re- opening under the Radisson Blu flag second quarter, 2016.

Radisson Hotel Group

Sousse, Tunisia

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April 14, 2014

Virgin Limited Edition Signs Contract to Purchase Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard in Franschhoek, South Africa

Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson's luxury collection of award-winning retreats is excited to announce that it has reached a preliminary agreement to purchase a new property - Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard in South Africa, which would become the latest addition to the already eclectic portfolio.

Franschhoek, South Africa

April 7, 2014

Minor Hotel Group further strengthens entry into Mozambique with Anantara and AVANI brands

Minor Hotel Group (MHG), operator of over 100 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 14 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean, is pleased to announce the addition of three properties in Mozambique to its portfolio and a 25% equity investment in the properties. They will be reflagged to MHG's Anantara and AVANI brands later this year and take the total number of MHG properties in operation to 108 and the total number of rooms to over 13,000.

April 3, 2014

Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson Discusses Protea acquisition

Arne Sorenson, CEO & president of Marriott International, discusses his company's acquisition of the largest hotel company in Africa. Marriott International, Inc. became the largest hotel company in Africa according to published information, and nearly doubled its presence in its Middle East and Africa region to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms as it completed its acquisition of the 116-hotel Protea Hospitality Group (PHG), based in South Africa. Marriott now operates or franchises more than 4,000 hotels in 79 countries.

March 24, 2014

Marriott CEO Talks Industry Trends, Company Growth, Room Service & More

Marriott President & CEO Arne Sorenson was recently interviewed during a panel discussion at the Economic Club of Washington. Sorenson highlighted Marriott's global growth, company performance and talked about a couple of his favorite hotels. Sorenson was joined by Hilton Worldwide's President & CEO Chris Nassetta.

February 25, 2014

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Returns to Nairobi

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers, will head back to Kenya's capital, Nairobi later this year. AHIF will be held at the InterContinental Hotel on September 30 – October 1st 2014.

February 3, 2014

Meliá Hotels International opens a new market with the management of 3 spectacular hotels in Saidia Med, Morocco

Meliá Hotels International signed an agreement to manage three new hotels under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand, to be developed in the tourist destination of Saidia Med, including a beach hotel, club hotel and luxury serviced apartments. Meliá Hotels International has joined forces with SDS, a partnership between the major Moroccan group CDG and the Moroccan Tourism Development Fund.

Saidia Med, Morocco

January 23, 2014

Video: Marriott's Arne Sorenson Comments on Protea Acquisition

Arne Sorenson, CEO & President of Marriott International, discusses his hotel's plans for global expansion and creating jobs in the industry. Marriott International, Inc. and South Africa's Protea Hospitality Holdings yesterday announced that they have signed definitive agreements for the purchase by Marriott of Protea's three brands and management company.