Major Hotel Chains Expand in Africa Amid Growing Tourism Industry
As the African tourism industry grows, major hotel chains expand their presence. Marriott, Radisson Blu, Hyatt, and LEVA compete for a larger share of Africa’s hospitality industry.
Hyatt Plans to Re-Establish Presence in South Africa and Expand in Morocco: Hyatt has recently announced plans to increase its presence in Africa with the opening of the Park Hyatt Johannesburg in late 2023 and the Park Hyatt Marrakech in Morocco. Hyatt aims to use property management deals and acquisitions to expand its select-service brands across the continent.
Marriott International’s Expansion Plans in Africa: Marriott International plans to open over 30 hotels with over 5,000 rooms by the end of 2024. In response to the growing travel and tourism industry on the continent, the company is expanding. Marriott’s Protea Hotels will add ten more hotels, including its first properties in Kenya, Malawi, and Angola, and five new hotels in South Africa. The Four Points by Sheraton brand will expand to Uganda, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cape Verde. Marriott also plans to introduce the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand in Ethiopia and The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands in Morocco. In addition, it will open its first luxury safari property in Kenya.
Radisson Hotel Group’s Expansion: Radisson Hotel Group recently opened its first safari resort in Africa, the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort in Zambia. The company plans to open 150 hotels in the region by 2025, including the Park Inn by Radisson Lusaka, Longacres, which is set to open in 2023.
LEVA Targets Underserved and Affordable Luxury Market: Dubai-based hotel brand LEVA wants to expand into Africa, targeting the underserved and affordable luxury market in Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, and Nigeria.
According to the UNWTO tourism barometer, Africa has seen a significant increase in international arrivals from 19.4 million in 2021 to 45 million in 2022. The growth of the hospitality industry is driving major hotel chains’ expansion as they race for a larger market share.
