Regional focus: Marriott International looks to add 40 new properties in Africa [Construction Report]
by Zack Quaintance | 02 Oct 2019 | Projects
Hospitality is a solid bet in Africa and Marriott is raising its stakes. (Photo: Marriott International)
Marriott International sees great potential in Africa and reveals ambitious plans to open up to 40 new properties by 2023.
Marriott International recently announced four new deals in Africa, one of which will see the company make its entry into Cape Verde.
More importantly, however, Marriott International is on track to add 40 new properties throughout Africa by the year 2023, company officials announced at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, which was held recently in Addis.
If the company hits those projections — and there is every reason to believe that it will — it would be adding more than 8,000 total rooms in Africa.
“Africa is a land of opportunity with untapped potential and remains core to our strategy,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
“The economic growth the region is witnessing, along with the substantial emphasis countries across the continent are placing on the travel and tourism sector, present us with immense opportunities for growth.”
“With compelling, well-established lifestyle brands and Marriott Bonvoy, our industry-leading travel program, we continue to offer different attributes that resonate with the region’s fast-growing middle class and cater to its evolving marketplace,” Kyriakidis added.
Marriott International’s agreements in Africa
In addition to those projections, Marriott International also announced related new agreements. Chief among those was a deal to open its first property in Cape Verde, as well as to further expand its presence in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
These are all significant moves, and, all told, Marriott’s development pipeline in Africa through 2023 is expected to drive investment of more than $2 billion from property owners. It’s also expected to generate more than 12,000 new jobs in Africa.
At present, Marriott International’s current portfolio in Africa encompasses close to 140 properties with more than 24,000 rooms across 14 brands and 20 countries and territories.
Driving Marriott’s growth in Africa
With all this in mind, it’s important to take a closer look at Marriott’s footprint in Africa. Key markets fuelling Marriott’s growth in Africa include Morocco, South Africa, Algeria and Egypt.
Marriott’s expected growth in Africa through 2023 is driven by strong demand and steady growth among its premium and select-service brands – led by Marriott Hotels with eight anticipated openings and six slated openings under Protea Hotels by Marriott.
The company is also expected to introduce the Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Element Hotels brands.
Marriott also continues to see growth opportunities for its high-end brands and expects to double its luxury portfolio in Africa by year-end 2023, with more than ten new openings across The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, the Luxury Collection and JW Marriott brands. The company also expects to launch W Hotels in Africa with the opening of W Tangier in Morocco by 2023.
“Marriott’s established presence and local expertise in Africa, along with our diverse brands and the collective strength of our global platform, put us in a great position to further enhance our footprint in the region where owners are looking to develop high-quality lodging with brands that can differentiate and elevate their product,” commented Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
Let’s take a look at a few outstanding hotel projects in Africa:
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
