Marriott International, Africa’s largest hotel company following its strategic acquisition of Protea Hotel Group, continues to gather momentum with a packed schedule of 30 property openings across the continent by 2020, 9 of which will open by end of 2015.
“The potential of the African market is awe inspiring and only really matched by the extraordinary people and places we encounter every day as our brands puts down roots across the continent,” Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa said. “Over the next few years we plan to expand our presence even further from 10 countries to 17 with a capital investment by Marriott’s real estate partners of $1.5 billion across the continent. With it, we will create jobs and support local communities because our success is only ever possible through strong bonds of friendship, trust and cooperation in the markets we inhabit.”
With a strong eye on the extended stay segment a new Residence Inn by Marriott Kampala Kololo has just been signed, bringing the total property count under the Protea Hotels and Residence Inn brands in Uganda alone to three. A raft of further openings will follow in 2015 across the continent with openings in South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda, as well as Marriott International’s first properties in Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda.
Marriott Executive Apartments Addis Ababa, owned by Sunshine Business plc, will be the first property under the extended stay brand to open in Africa. With 104 units, located at the financial district, close to the UN Headquarters and Addis Ababa Stadium, Marriott Executive Apartments is designed for the international traveler and executive expat seeking luxurious apartment living with hotel services.
By 2020, in Africa, Marriott International is set to go from 120 properties, 14,000 rooms across 10 markets, to 150 properties with 19,000 rooms across 17 markets. As a result, the company which currently employs 21,000 associates across Africa will see its work-force increase by 10,000. “The fundamental demand generators that drive our industry are alive and well on this continent,” continued Kyriakidis. “Marriott International’s investment into this region represents the economic realisation for the need for hotels – countries need to invest in infrastructure, accommodation and airports to create jobs to grow the economy. In tangible terms, these planned hotels will create sustainable local jobs.
“We have achieved a great deal in a short period of time but I firmly believe this is just the start of the Marriott International story in Africa.”