Radisson Hotel Group has set a target of more than doubling its presence in the Moroccan market by 2030.
Erwan Garnier, senior director for development in Africa has been tasked with taking the current portfolio of 11 hotels to 25 open or in development by the end of the decade – just six years away, and a year when Morocco will host the FIFA World Cup.
“Our focus will be on strengthening our presence in Casablanca and Marrakech, where we currently operate the conveniently located Radisson Blu Hotel, Casablanca City Center and the highly acclaimed Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden,” said Garnier. “Additionally, we plan to establish our presence in the key cities of Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, and Fez.”
“We have identified significant potential within these cities to establish a diverse portfolio consisting of ideally located business hotels, efficient serviced apartments, premium mixed-use projects, and expanding our portfolio of exceptional resorts.”
Flagship opening
The group will shortly open its new flagship for the Radisson brand in Morocco, the Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle. Growth in Morocco will augment the momentum Radisson Hotel Group already has established across the African continent, where it lays claim to being the fastest growing hotel group. Over the past three years, it has achieved 20 openings, and last year signed eight new hotels, which will add more than 1,600 rooms. For the whole of Africa, the aspiration is to grow to 150 hotels over the next five years, up from the current count of 100.
Among 2023 signings were the Radisson Collection Resort in Port Phonenice, Egypt, due to open in early 2025. The Red Sea resort will have 294 rooms, mixing Mediterranean and Italian architecture just 35 minutes from Marsa Alam airport.
In early 2024, Radisson opened its first safari hotel in Africa, the Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, which is its eleventh hotel in South Africa. The 138 rom property, which combines all the facilities of a mainstream hotel, is close to two bucket list nature reserves, the Kruger National Park, and Blyde River Canyon.
Launching in Gambia
Coming in 2025, Radisson will launch in Gambia. There, it will open a new build, 462 room hotel as the first internationally branded hotel in the country. The resort will be located in the Bijilo region in Banjul, the country’s capital city, and will have direct ocean access. And in Abuja, Nigeria, a 249 room Radisson Collection hotel is planned, which will include a major conference centre to support businesses in the city. It will be joined by a Radisson Blu Hotel in the city’s CBD, due to open in early 2025. Also in Nigeria, a Radisson Red hotel will open in late 2025, with 62 rooms and a rooftop terrace bar.
