Radisson Hotel Group is reporting its rapid African expansion is keeping it on target to have 150 properties open across the continent by 2025.
The group has surpassed its half-year growth target in Africa this year, confirming more than eight hotel openings and market entries with over 1,000 rooms across the region.
Six month spree
At the start of 2022, Radisson set out plans to add more than a dozen hotels across the continent and is on track to meet this goal, having delivered two thirds of the planned growth to date.
The first six months of the year saw the group enter several key new African markets along with other significant milestone signings and openings. It expanded its presence in Madagascar with a portfolio of three hotels, becoming the largest international operator on the island.
Debuts and rebrands
The first Radisson branded hotel in East Africa, Radisson Hotel Addis Ababa Bole Airport was signed in 2022, and the Radisson Individuals brand was introduced to the continent with the opening of two new properties, Number One Oxford Street Hotel & Suites, a member of Radisson Individuals in Ghana, and Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals in Marsa Allam, Egypt.
Radisson also announced the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Juba, South Sudan’s first internationally branded five-star hotel, and continued its resort growth strategy with the signing of Radisson Resort Dakar Saly in Senegal. The group also reinforced its presence in Tunisia with the recent opening of Radisson Sfax and the rebranding of La Maison Blanche Tunis as a Radisson Individuals property. In South Africa, the group expanded its portfolio to more than 14 properties with the opening of its latest addition, Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga.
Positive pipeline
Tim Cordon, area senior vice president, Middle East and Africa, said: “2022 has been historic for Radisson Hotel Group to date. While we’ve long seen Africa as a key growth region, it’s been incredibly exciting to enter new markets for the first time. In doing so, we’ve cemented our position as one of the leading operators on the African continent, with the most diverse portfolio across the 30-plus countries.”
Ramsay Rankoussi, the group’s vice president, development, Africa and Turkey, added: “Radisson Hotel Group’s growth in existing markets and entry into new markets in Africa forms a critical part of our global expansion strategy. Having built a strong base with our portfolio of city hotels, we’re proud to be increasing the diversity of our brand offerings in Africa.
“The acceleration of our openings during the last 12-18 months highlights the relevance of our brands in today’s market, the trust and confidence our partners have in the group and the quality of our pipeline as a market leader. The first half of 2022 saw openings surpass signings, which shows a positive trend in materialisation of our pipeline and a successful execution of our conversion strategy.”
The TOPHOTELPROJECTS database shows that Radisson has at least 23 African hotel developments underway. This includes Emerald Grand Hotel & Spa, Radisson Collection in Lagos, Nigeria, delivering 250 rooms in Q1 2024; the 150-room Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence Douala in Cameroon arriving in Q1 2023; and Radisson Blu Beach Resort Sal on Santa Maria in the Cape Verde islands, adding a further 240 keys to the group’s portfolio in Q4 2023.
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Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest hotel groups with several distinctive brands and more than 1,400 properties in operation or under development globally.
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