Marriott International reveals robust expansion plans across Africa
Marriott International has announced rapid expansion plans across Africa – with its first hotel in Mozambique – on October 1 during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Strong demand for select-service brands and conversion opportunities are driving the momentum of growth for the company, amplified by five new hotel signings. These will further consolidate Marriott International’s presence in Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, and mark the company’s entry into Mozambique. The signings put Marriott International on track to increase its portfolio by 50% with over 200 hotels and 38 000 rooms by 2023, estimated to generate 12 000 new job opportunities.
The company estimates that the five new projects will drive investment of over $250 million by the property owners.
“Marriott International’s acquisition of Protea Hotels followed by the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has given an impetus to our organic growth on the continent,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and MD, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “African economies have sustained unprecedented rates of growth, which have mainly been driven by a strong domestic demand, improved macroeconomic management and increased political stability. The continent is still under-capacity as far as branded hotel supply is concerned, presenting us with opportunity to grow our brands.”
Marriott International continues to see increased interest from owners looking to maximise the value of their assets quickly, with many conversion opportunities across Africa. “We’ve developed a conversion-friendly strategy, which allows us to deliver value to our partners through a flexible, cost-efficient process that yields almost immediate results. That strategy gives our partners access to world-class reservation systems and our loyalty programme,” said Kyriakidis.
Recent conversions to the company’s brands include Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi, Hurlingham, Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel, Tanzania and Mena House, Cairo.
Marriott International’s select-service brands, including Four Points by Sheraton, Protea Hotels by Marriott and AC Hotels by Marriott, are experiencing unprecedented demand with expansion in mature and emerging markets.
Marriott International has signed two new hotels under the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand – Protea Hotel by Marriott Nairobi, Kenya and Protea Hotel by Marriott Accra Kotoka Airport. Protea Hotel by Marriott Nairobi will be five kilometres from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and is expected to open in 2021. The 250-room hotel will include a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, pool and a meeting space. Earlier this year, Marriott International signed Protea Hotel by Marriott Pretoria Loftus Park, South Africa, slated to open later this year.
The company also signed Four Points by Sheraton Nampula, Mozambique, its first hotel in the country. Expected to open in 2023, the hotel is part of a mixed-use development comprising a shopping centre, apartments, residential homes, a hospital, and offices. The hotel includes 100 rooms, 85 extended-stay units, food and beverage facilities, conferencing facilities, a fitness centre and pool.
Later this year, Marriott International will debut the AC by Marriott brand into Africa with the opening of the 188-room AC by Marriott Cape Town, Waterfront, close to the V&A Waterfront and 25 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.
Its second AC by Marriott hotel in Africa, the 205-room AC by Marriott Umhlanga Ridge in KZN, will be part of a mixed-use development comprising offices and residential apartments. Slated to open in 2023, the hotel will have easy access from major highways and will be close to King Shaka International Airport.
Some of its other well-known select-service brands like Aloft Hotels, Element, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott are already under development. It is also looking for opportunities to bring Fairfield by Marriott to the continent
“Our portfolio of diverse brands lends itself to growth in all markets, providing developers the flexibility and choice to identify the right brand for the right location. We believe this also provides an opportunity to develop branded residences with our luxury brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and W Hotels and we are actively pursuing this. Today our brands account for nearly 60% of the global hospitality-branded residences market,” said Kyriakidis.
source: Tourism Update
