FASTJET The airline for everyone - HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA - Business Traveller Africa
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
Bullish & optimistic
AFRICAN AVIATION
Dreaming of open skies
FASTJET
The airline for everyone
ISSUE 129: JULY 2018 www.businesstravellerafrica.co.za
T H E TA BL E BAY
S U N C I T Y CO N V E NTIO N CEN TRE
TH E M A S LOW S A N D TO N
T H E M A S LOW TIME S Q UA RE
YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS
Sun International’s premium resorts, hotels and casinos afford you the opportunity to choose from a wide
selection of state-of-the-art venues to host a conference, meeting or event, with each property offering
unparalleled experiences that will turn your visit into more than just a business trip. From The Table Bay in
the Western Cape, The Boardwalk in Eastern Cape, Sun City in the North West to The Maslow Sandton and
The Maslow Time Square in Gauteng, we’ve got South Africa covered to help you bring your ideal event to life.
To book or to find out more, call +27 11 780 7000 or visit suninternational.com
EASTERN CAPE THE BOARDWALK, INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (ICC) WILD COAST SUN, CONFERENCE CENTRE, TROPICAL NIGHTS AUDITORIUM GAUTENG CARNIVAL CIT Y, BIG TOP
ARENA,SUN PARK THE MASLOW SANDTON, CONFERENCE CENTRE, BUSINESS CENTRE TIME SQUARE, THE MASLOW TIME SQUARE, SUN ARENA KWAZULU-NATAL SIBAYA, IZULU THEATRE,
IMBIZO SIBAYA CONFERENCE CENTRE, SUN PARK NORTH WEST SUN CITY, AMPHITHEATRE, BOTSALANONG BOMA, LETSATSING BOMA, THE ROYAL BATHS, VALLEY OF WAVES, THE PALACE, SOHO, CABANAS,
CONVENTION CENTRE, SUN ARENA, SUN PARK WESTERN CAPE GRANDWEST, CONVENTION CENTRE, GRAND ARENA, SUN PARK, SUN EXHIBITS THE TABLE BAY, THE PAVILION, THE ATLANTIC, THE BALLROOM
TRANQUILITY
IN THE HEART
OF SANDTON
Set among the trees on the banks of the
Sand River, you will find peace and
tranquillity unmatched in Jo’burg’s north.
Conveniently located to the
Rivonia CBD and the major arterials, Sand
River Guest House offers you something
distinct: be it the 4 Star luxury rooms,
geared for self catering, or simply our
unique, relaxing river and garden setting.
SAND RIVER
T R E E
SAND RIVER
G U E S T
H O U S E
&
H O U S E
C O N F E R E N C E V E N U E
G U E S T H O U S E
★ ★ &★ ★
T R E E H O U S E C O N F E R E N C E V E N U E
★ ★ ★ ★
It’s hard to believe you’re in Jo’burg
T: +27 (0) 11 234 1666 / M: +27 (0) 71 324 7857 / www.sandriverguesthouse.com
Contents
26 40
34 35 12
Fastjet
It’s been a challenging few years,
but since its inception in 2012 low-
cost carrier fastjet has still managed
to build a presence in five African
countries and achieve what many
before have tried, but failed at.
What will be interesting to see is
where it goes from here, as it looks
to grow its offering into more African
countries.
FEATURES REGULARS
12 Hotel Groups in Africa
Some of Africa’s biggest economies may
04 Message from the Team 34 Tried and Tested
What’s the editor ranting about now? Hotel Check
have endured a tough few years, but • The Capital Menlyn Maine
that hasn’t stopped the world’s big hotel
groups from continuing to bet big on the 06 News
Airline, hotel and other travel news
Flight Check
• Kulula
continent and put together impressive
development pipelines that ultimately from Africa and beyond
36 Q & A Interviews
10 W Hospitality Column
could change the African landscape in
• Mmatŝatŝi Ramawela – TBCSA
years to come.
• Marco Cristofoli – BCD
26 African Aviation
It’s taken nearly 20 years, but Africa
Managing Director Trevor Ward gives
us his take on the West African hotel
industry 38 People on the Move
does seem a step closer – albeit a small The movers and shakers –
one – towards embracing an ‘open
11 ASATA Column what they’re up to now
40 Bite with the Editor
skies’ environment, but it’s going to
require the continent’s governments to The latest from Chief Executive Officer
put their money where their mouths are Otto de Vries
Sisa Ntshona – SA Tourism
and actually put pen to paper.
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 3
ED’S LETTER
U
nderstanding the millennial traveller should PUBLISHER
Richard Lendrum
be a priority for any forward-thinking travel
brand or supplier.
That’s probably why there is currently a lot of EDITOR
research going into getting to know this market Dylan Rogers
dylan@thefuture.co.za
segment better.
Travelport are the latest to release some interesting
data regarding millennial travellers and what makes CONTRIBUTORS
them tick, specific, on this occasion, to business Kate Kennedy
travellers in South Africa.
According to the travel technolog y provider, JOURNALIST
the country’s millennial business travellers are Kate Kennedy
“demanding both cutting-edge digital support
throughout their trips and on-demand advice from
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
human consultants.”
Nadette Voogd
The research, which surveyed 11,000 travellers in
19 countries who took at least one return flight in
the last year, revealed that: SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PRODUCTION
- 37% of South Africa’s millennial business Mabel Ramafoko
mabel@thefuture.co.za
travellers now count being unable to access
booking information across their devices 24/7 as
one of their biggest gripes SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICE
- 3 9% say they get frustrated when companies don’t Postal Address:
PO Box 1746, Saxonwold, 2132
use data analytics to provide highly personalized
Physical Address:
travel recommendations based on their past 247 Jan Smuts Avenue, Randburg
preferences Telephone: +27 11 327 6107
- 3 9% say not being able to get expert advice from
human consultants during the booking process is
NIGERIAN OFFICE
a major pain point 3rd Floor, EuniBrown House195,
The report also revealed an “escalating thirst for Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove,Lagos, Nigeria
‘bleisure’” – itineraries combining both business and Tel: +234 1 740 3236
leisure. Over half (56%), for example, now regularly Mobile: +234 803 963 0155
extend their business trips by a few days so they can
see local attractions. PUBLISHER – NORTH & WEST AFRICA
To satisfy their ‘bleisure’ needs, most of South Tope Ogbeni-Awe
Africa’s millennial business travellers are now doing tope.ogbeni-awe@topcommng.com
their own research before finalizing their travel
plans. Among the most common tools used to build EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
their perfect itinerary are general travel advice Mohammed Abdullahi
sites (used by 89%) and review sites (used by 87%).
Looking through videos and photos posted by travel
brands on social media (81%) is also typical for
South Africa’s millennials, as is using voice search
technolog y (54%).
If required to book a trip themselves, the majority
of millennial business travellers do so online
through their desktop or laptop (64%). However,
around one quarter say they now book business
travel online through their smartphone (21%) or
tablet (24%).
While on business trips, on average, South African
Business Traveller Africa is published under licence from Perry
millennial business travellers apparently use 18 Publications Limited.
different categories of apps. Of these, map apps are Warwick House, 25 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP.
among the most popular (used by 92%), along with Tel: +44 20 7821 2740
those that provide video tools (91%). There were also www.businesstraveller.com
high results for social media (90%), travel review
(81%) and destination guide (77%) apps.
Makes for interesting reading.
Dylan Rogers
Follow us on:
Editor
dylan@thefuture.co.za
4 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
NEWS
Airlink Enhances Hoedspruit
Route
Airlink has revised and enhanced its Johannesburg-Hoedspruit
and Cape Town-Hoedspruit services. Flights will now depart
Johannesburg at 13h00 and arrive in Hoedspruit at 14h00 (was
12h50), and depart again from Hoedspruit at 14h30 (was 13h20)
to arrive in Johannesburg at 15h30 (was 14h20), Monday to Friday.
Flights from Cape Town International Airport will depart at 12h20
(was 11h15) and arrive in Hoedspruit at 14h50 (was 13h45), and
depart again from Hoedspruit at 15h20 (was 14h20), arriving in Cape
Town at 18h00 (was 17h00). The current flight schedule on Saturdays
and Sundays will remain the same, due to Hoedspruit Airport
operating hour constraints. The supplementary morning flights BON Announces New
commencing in August will depart Johannesburg at 09h50 and arrive
in Hoedspruit at 10h50, Monday to Sunday. The flight will depart KZN Hotel
Hoedspruit at 11h20 and arrive in Johannesburg at 12h20. BON Hotels has extended its South African
footprint into KwaZulu-Natal, with the takeover
of the 64 on Gordon Hotel on 1 June. The 35-room
More BA Flights to SA boutique hotel in Durban’s Morningside suburb is
situated close to the hub of Florida Road – which
British Airways will add four more weekly flights to its double-daily
has seen a recent revival – is a two-minute drive
London-Johannesburg schedule at the end of October using a Boeing
from the three major sports stadiums, is close to
787-800 Dreamliner. The airline currently offers 14 weekly A380 flights
the Golden Mile and its popular beaches, and is 10
on this route. The flights will depart London Heathrow at 16h20 in the
minutes from Durban’s International Convention
afternoon, arriving at O.R. Tambo International Airport at 05h40 the
Centre. Facilities and services include a restaurant,
following morning. The return flight will leave Johannesburg at 07h40,
bar and business facilities. The hotel also offers a
landing at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 at 17h50. There will also be three
conference venue that can accommodate up to 30
additional weekly BA flights from London to Durban in October.
delegates.
New Properties for
Tintswalo
Tintswalo Lodges will be opening two new
properties in 2018. The Tintswalo brand will
also be expanding into a Premier Collection
and a Classic Collection. The launch of the
The Capital Launches New
new Tintswalo Classic Collection will see the
opening of Tintswalo at Lapalala Wilderness in
Sandton Property the Waterberg (South Africa’s Limpopo province)
and Tintswalo at Boulders Manor, a private
The Capital Hotels & Apartments has opened The Capital On villa overlooking Boulders Beach on the Cape
The Park. The property is situated on Katherine Street, in close Peninsula. The Tintswalo Premier Collection
proximity to the Sandton CBD. The Capital is calling it Sandton’s will incorporate existing flagship properties
‘only business resort’, and some of its features are an infinity pool, Tintswalo Atlantic in Cape Town and Tintswalo
sun deck, spa, signature outdoor champagne bar, and restaurant. Safari Lodge and Tintswalo Manor House in the
The property offers 175 standard rooms, five studio apartments Manyeleti Game Reserve. Tintswalo at Boulders
and 125 one and two-bedroom apartments. It also has a large Manor will open in Cape Town on 1 September.
conference centre that seats 500 delegates, a 24/7 on-the-go deli, Sleeping up to 14 guests in seven rooms, Boulders
and a g ym with its own personal trainer and specialised fitness Manor will operate on a bed and breakfast basis,
classes. or as a private villa.
6 | JULY2018 For more news, visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
Corporate
Traveller Expands
Corporate Travel
Programmes
Corporate Traveller, a division of
the Flight Centre Travel Group,
has expanded its SmartSTAY and
SmartDRIVE corporate travel
programmes. Both initiatives reward
business travellers with a number of
The Bull Run to be exclusive benefits and value add-ons
when booking with various properties
Revamped and car hire companies within the
TravelSmart range. A few of these
The Bull Run restaurant, located adjacent to the perks include early check-in, free
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika room upgrades and laundry service,
Sandton on Maude Street, is undergoing a full complimentary wi-fi and breakfast,
revamp worth R12 million ($964,000), to increase
parking, unlimited mileage, a free
capacity and create an ‘international’ feel, as well
additional driver feature with car hire, and bonus loyalty points. There
as attract new patrons and provide a change of
are about 3,000 properties in the SmartSTAY programme, including
scenery for regulars. Over 18 years of trading the
IHG, Accor, and Hilton. The Radisson Red Hotel in Cape Town is the
restaurant has only undergone minor, essential
latest hotel to join the SmartSTAY portfolio. Ready Service is the latest
changes to maintain the property and create
feature from SmartDRIVE, which offers a choice of unlimited mileage
a more spacious entrance. For renovations to
options, insurance access waivers, guaranteed availability, and the
take place, the Bull Run has closed its doors for
free additional driver feature available in various car hire groups with
trading and is set to re-open in July.
Europcar.
Fastjet Increases Harare–Vic Falls Flights
Fastjet increased its flights between Harare and Victoria Falls with two additional frequencies from 2 July. The airline now
serves the route with a twice-daily frequency, six days a week, with the only exception on Saturdays where the schedule
remains unchanged with one flight.
The Business Travel
Club is giving away
a 2-night midweek
WIN!
stay for two adults
sharing at Turbine
Boutique Hotel in
Knysna valued at
R7,500
For competition details
and to enter, go to our
Facebook page:
@BusinessTravelClubAfrica
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 7
NEWS
Total Technical
Support for
Comair
South Africa’s Comair Limited
and Lufthansa Technik have
signed a comprehensive long-
term Total Technical Support
contract with Lufthansa Technik
providing engineering, planning,
line maintenance and component
support for Comair’s future Boeing
737 MA X 8 fleet. The services will
commence in January 2019, when
Comair, as part of its fleet renewal
programme, will take delivery of
the first two of eight 737 MA X
8 aircraft on order. As part of
the TTS, Lufthansa Technik
supports Comair with a Technical
Operations Management,
integrating all MRO activities
contracted in the agreement into
Turkish Adds Moroni to Network
Turkish Airlines is now flying three times a week from Istanbul to Moroni, the
a comprehensive service package.
capital of the Comoros Union. Moroni becomes the 304 th destination served by
Comair’s in-house engineering
Turkish Airlines. Flight TK 748 will depart Istanbul at 01h40 and arrive in the
and fleet department will continue
Comoros at 13h30. Return flight TK 748 will depart the Comoros at 16h40 and
to oversee all maintenance, repair
arrive in Istanbul at 04h10 the next day. Both flights are scheduled for Mondays,
and overhaul services.
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Air Namibia
Commences Flights to
West Africa
Air Namibia has launched the Windhoek-Lagos-
Accra route, providing a direct connection
between Namibia and West Africa. The service
will operate four times a week (Sunday, Monday,
Wednesday and Friday). The routing will be
Windhoek-Lagos-Accra, and the return will be
Accra-Lagos-Windhoek. Air Namibia will service
this new route with the Airbus A319, offering
a seat configuration of 16 business class and 96
economy class seats.
IHG’s New Brand
The InterContinental Hotels Group has launched voco, its
new upscale hotel brand. It will focus primarily on conversion
opportunities, working with high-quality individual and locally-
branded hotels and leveraging IHG’s systems. This includes the
group’s revenue management and technolog y capabilities, and IHG
Rewards Club. Voco, inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come
together’ in Latin, will combine the informality and charm of an
individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global brand.
The roll-out of voco will begin in IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Asia
and Africa region, with plans to take it to the Americas and Greater
China over time. IHG expects to open more than 200 voco hotels in
attractive urban and leisure locations over the next 10 years.
8 | JULY2018 For more news, visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaTravelport Signs
Agreement with
Qantas
Travelport has signed a multi-year agreement
with Qantas Airways that includes distribution
of the Australian national carrier’s content and
integration into Qantas’ recently announced
NDC platform, the Qantas Distribution Platform.
Lufthansa Upgrades IFE Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding
merchandising solution has been deployed,
Lufthansa has upgraded and expanded its in-flight entertainment
programme on long-haul flights. Now passengers have a choice of giving over 65,000 Travelport-connected travel
around 180 films in all travel classes – an increase of around 30%. agencies globally access to images of cabins
The ‘Holly wood Recent Hits’ category allows travellers to choose and meals. These agents will also be able to
from numerous successful Holly wood films from the past 12 to 24 book ancillaries such as extra legroom seating.
months. There are also more than 270 T V productions to choose Travelport is the first operator of a global
from. For families, there are 22 films suitable for children and 31 distribution system to be granted the highest
T V programmes. certification by IATA for its New Distribution
Capability airline distribution technolog y.
Radisson Moves into Zambia
Radisson Hotels is adding a new territory to its portfolio with the
signing of the Park Inn by Radisson Lusaka Longacres in Zambia.
Radisson’s African portfolio consists of 83 hotels and more than 17,500
rooms in operation and under development. Located in the Longacres
suburb of Lusaka, the hotel will be situated in a prime location within
the city’s concentration of embassies, diplomatic missions and United
Nations offices. It will form part of a mixed-use development, which
will include a 9,000m 2 shopping mall. The 136-room Park Inn by
Radisson Lusaka Longacres is expected to open in 2020 and will offer
a mixture of standard rooms and suites, along with an all-day dining
restaurant and bar. The meetings and events area will include one
ballroom, three meeting rooms and a boardroom. The hotel will also
house a well-equipped g ym.
KLM & Kulula Codeshare
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the South African
airline kulula.com have signed a codeshare agreement
to expand the airlines’ respective networks. KLM
will add its ‘KL’ code to kulula.com’s domestic route
network, enabling KLM’s passengers connecting
in Johannesburg and Cape Town to continue with
a single ticket issue and a one-stop check-in and
baggage transfer to East London, Cape Town, Durban
and George from Johannesburg, and Durban from
Cape Town.
AVANI Maseru Re-opens
AVANI Maseru Hotel in Lesotho has opened its doors after an FlySafair Partners with
extensive $2 million (R25 million) renovation that included a
refurbishment of all 105 hotel rooms, the hotel’s water supply and Flight Centre
reticulation, public areas and restaurant. The project was finished South African low-cost carrier FlySafair has entered
in six months. Each of the hotel’s rooms and suites were upgraded, into a strategic partnership with the Flight Centre
including a complete redesign of the bathrooms and vanities, and Travel Group, providing the group’s agents with
each room has new sliding doors. The hotel has upgraded its digital greater access to the airline’s inventory. Through
offering, including adding digital telephones, and has expanded its the mutually-beneficial partnership, Flight Centre
wi-fi offering. The hotel’s conferencing venue was also refurbished agents can now pass the benefits of the airline
with new carpets and ceilings. product on to their clients.
For more news, visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 9COMMENT
An Eye on
West Africa
I
Trevor Ward have lived on the west coast for over 15 years spread along the north shore of the lagoon, which is
MD: W Hospitality now. Sure, I haven’t been every where yet, but maybe 300 to 400 metres wide, looking across to the
Group having been to resorts in several countries, from peninsula, itself about 125 metres wide, and then to
Senegal all the way round to Cameroon and beyond, the Atlantic Ocean.
I thought I pretty much got the gist – some lovely I’m not one for the traditional beach-sea-horizon-
sandy beaches, such as those in Sierra Leone and sky view, but this lagoon view is, to me, absolutely
The Gambia, and tons of culture and history such fantastic.
as that in Ghana (including a traditional drumming You can hear the ocean from here, you can swim
school!) and Nigeria, that kind of thing. But nothing in the lagoon (it’s not recommended to swim in the
prepared me for the beauty of the Atlantic coastline ocean, too dangerous) and all sorts of water sports:
in eastern Côte d’Ivoire – or at least one piece of it. speedboats, canoes, water-skiing and more. The
I was heading for Assinie-Mafia, which is about palm trees across the water, a glimpse of the ocean if
90 minutes’ drive from Abidjan airport. The arrivals you’re high enough up (the peninsula is pretty flat),
hall there is rather civilised, with a book store, easy the sound of the surf, and the tinkle of the ice in
currency exchange, a bar and even a Burger King. your gin and tonic – just perfect!
Any way, I head out of the airport, and instead of The main hotels on the lagoon are the African
travelling north into the city, I head east, along the Queen Lodge, the Coucoué Lodge and Les Marines
Abidjan beach front. That looked nice enough, if a de Babihana. The Coucoué has a massive store
little windswept, but my first stop was to be Grand- of speedboats, jet skis and quad bikes, and both
Bassam. Sadly, the town has a tragic history, after a Coucoué and Marines have restaurants over the
terrorist attack in 2016 left 16 tourists and soldiers water. These hotels are okay, but nothing special,
dead. That was over two years ago, and whilst the although I was impressed with a suite I saw at the
dead and injured are not forgotten, life goes on, Marines, with a glazed bathroom looking out into a
and the tourists have returned, although fewer than tiny private garden.
before. What is special in Assinie-Mafia is the new kid
The old quarter of Grand-Bassam is a UNESCO on the block, the Maison d’Akoula, a truly beautiful
World Heritage site, because of its history as a major palace, created by Mme Akoula Amon Chauvin-
city and port, but today it’s really rather faded. Buthaud, the propriétaire, who designed everything
Wikivoyage says the town is “Filled to the brim with herself. It is a labour of love, and has just eight
French colonial charm”, but I prefer Lonely Planet’s rooms, four on the ‘mainland’ and four on the
“Arty and bathed in faded glory”. Lots of interesting- peninsula, the latter accessed only by boat (a two-
looking, but pretty decrepit buildings. Even the minute ride). What rooms! They’re enormous, with
acclaimed ceramics factory was, well, decrepit. beautiful furnishings and décor, either on the water
The leading hotel in Grand-Bassam is the Hotel or in the beautiful gardens, privacy and exclusivity
L’Etoile du Sud, on the beach, a small beach with assured.
angry-looking surf. The rooms are nice enough, but Most of the guests for the resorts in Assinie-Mafia
the balconies which form the entrance to the rooms are residents of Abidjan, leisure at the weekend and,
are in poor condition, and I was less than impressed. for those with meetings facilities, conference groups
The Afrikland Hotel is one of the most sterile I have during the week. They don’t get much demand from
ever come across (and empty), whilst the Nsa Hotel other countries in the region, but then you didn’t
is just awful. So I came away from Grand-Bassam know such a place existed, did you? Neither did I
very disappointed, wondering what it might have before a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps I shouldn’t
been like when it was a real hotspot on the West have told you about Assinie-Mafia, but then the
African coast. accommodation stock is not huge, and it’s not going
Next stop was my real destination, Assine-Mafia, to be overrun any time soon. Before the troubles
about another 30 minutes’ drive east of Grand- hit the country, there was both a Club Med and a
Bassam. The road from Grand-Bassam goes a bit Valtur village at Assinie-Mafia, on the peninsula,
inland to the north, and then plunges south to but they’ve been closed for a long time now, and
Assouindé, where there are numerous little surf their type of mass tourism would (in my opinion) be
clubs including Kame Surf – I swear the list of inappropriate in the resort today.
cocktails in their bar is the longest in Africa. Head It ’s a real treat, is Assinie-Mafia, I loved the
east along the coast and there’s Assinie-Mafia, peace and quiet – not to mention the prawns and
spread out along the coast, with several resorts and the G&T! C
private villas. Turn into one of them, and there in
front of you is (finally!) the reason for my use of www.w-hospitalitygroup.com
superlatives – the Assinie Lagoon. The resort is
10 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaCOMMENT
Save the
planet
S
easoned road warriors know how to navigate
airport security effortlessly and get the most
out of their frequent flyer miles. However,
when it comes to saving the planet while travelling,
many of us still have a lot to learn.
Business travel can be a burden not just to jet-
lagged business travellers, but to the environment as
well. Each trip generates CO2 and can swiftly ramp
up a company’s carbon footprint. By applying some
basic environmentally-friendly principles, business
travellers can reduce, reuse and recycle while
travelling.
Among the measures you and your company can
adopt to become more Environmentally-friendly is
ensuring you position sustainability as a central
component of the travel policy and identify carbon-
offsetting travel suppliers.
Identify Environmentally-friendly hotels which are
actively taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint
by using flow-restrictive shower heads, low-flow
toilets and linen programmes that reduce waste.
A further measure would be to consider hotels
that are strategically located to attend the meetings
and conferences at your destination. This will allow
your company to avoid additional transport costs in-
destination as well as have a positive impact on the
environment.
When it comes to flights – which are by far the
biggest corporate travel carbon culprit – consider
smarter air choices such as non-stop flights without
layovers or pack light to reduce the weight of the
plane as much as possible. Technolog y is making it
even easier to fly green. Electronic travel documents
and mobile boarding passes are just a few examples
to avoid printing out travel paperwork.
Another fun way to be more environmentally-
friendly is to add a few days of bleisure onto your
corporate trip. Not only will this help you take the
stress out of your business trip, it’s also a great way
to reduce your carbon footprint by taking one trip
instead of two separate trips for business and leisure.
Although travel will always have an impact on the
environment, travel buyers and travellers can make a
difference by adopting a few simple more sustainable
business travel practices. Work with your ASATA
travel management company to identify some of the
ways in which you could together help to curb your
carbon footprint. C
Otto de Vries
ASATA CEO
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 11FEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
Bullish and
optimistic The world’s big hotel groups still see Africa as relatively
untapped and under-supplied, and they continue to put
together development pipelines that look impressive on paper,
but require a greater conversion rate to make a material
impact on the African hotel landscape in the short-term.
12 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaI
t’s been a difficult few years
for some of Africa’s biggest
economies, but that hasn’t
stopped the world’s big hotel
groups from continuing to bet big
on the continent, as they continue
to see value in what it has to offer.
It’s obvious that these groups
are taking a long-term view on
Africa, and they are happy to ride
the tough times and see their –
and their partners’ – investments
through, provided they find the
right deals and commercial models
to ensure a decent return.
Before we take a look at who
has made the biggest moves in
the past year, in terms of hotel
development and the signing of
deals, it’s worth reviewing the
performance of the African hotel
sector in the same period, to get
a sense of the type of base the
industry is working off.
In this regard, HTI Consulting
always provides an interesting
snapshot, and its review of 2017
had some thought-provoking
findings, particularly in terms of
some of the African continent’s
hotspots. For this report, HTI
provided a brief summary of the
top and bottom five performers
across 14 African cities for 2017,
as indicated by STR Global.
Occupancy rates, average daily
rates, rooms sold and future
supply were all taken into account,
but our focus, for now, will be on
the occupancies achieved by these
markets.
For starters, the report said that:
“Both upward and downward
trends were noticeable across
the continent in 2017, with more
positive conditions in West Africa
as oil economies geared up in
response to a recovering oil price.
Political instability in several
East African countries served to
dampen those markets in the area,
albeit on a temporary basis.”
The report, authored by
HTI Consulting’s CEO Wayne
Troughton, starts with a look
at occupancy growth and picks
out Lagos and Accra as the lead
performers of the 14 African cities
assessed.
“This, as gradual economic
recovery in the countries of
Nigeria and Ghana saw both
Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch these cities benefit from increased
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 13FEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
investor uncertainty in new
government policy, limiting
business travel to the city,” said
the report. “Additionally, direct
flights to key tourism destinations
reduced leisure demand in Dar es
Salaam.”
There were also lower
occupancies in Addis Ababa
(Ethiopia) and Gaborone
(Botswana).
“Although supply increased in
these cities, demand declined due
to political unrest (Addis Ababa)
and economic challenges driven by
mining (Botswana),” said HTI.
BIG PIPELINES
Accra Marriott Hotel That, at least, provides some sort
of base to work off, although it’s
unlikely to have any effect on the
big international groups who have
extensive development pipelines,
some with fairly lengthy lead
times.
“Investing in the hotel
industry in Africa is a long-
term play and like the rest of
the world Africa also works in
economic cycles,” says Andrew
McLachlan, The Radisson Hotel
Group’s Senior Vice-President,
Business Development, Africa and
Indian Ocean. “However, due to
imbalance in supply and demand
in many African markets we are
still experiencing RevPAR growth,
even though some of the bigger
economies have slowed down.”
W Hospitality Group specialises
in the provision of advisory
services to the hotel, tourism and
Radisson Hotel, Dakar Diamniadio leisure industries, and among the
range of services it provides its
clients with is its annual ‘Hotel
Chain Development Pipelines
business demand,” said the Kenya’s Nairobi, which was the in Africa’ report, which looks at
report. “Growth in Lagos came weakest of the cities assessed, the development activity of the
off a low base, however, and, in with a decline in occupancy branded groups.
light of more positive economic of 11.1%. Here, according to The 2018 version makes for
projections, should see future HTI, new supply (an additional interesting reading.
occupancy rates boosted to former 478 rooms, of which 334 were According to W Hospitality,
highs. Strong growth in Accra internationally branded - Four Marriott International tops
propelled occupancy rates to a Points by Sheraton, Park Inn by this year’s list for the most
healthy level just above 60%. Radisson), coupled with a decline planned new hotel rooms under
Other markets showing moderate in demand due to the violence construction in Africa. The group
growth included the cities of surrounding the August 2017 currently has a development
Pretoria, Durban and Windhoek, elections, substantially reduced pipeline of 93 new hotels
whilst Namibia’s economy accommodation demand. comprising 17,708 rooms in
revealed signs of recovery after Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) Africa, and almost 50% of those
poor economic growth in 2016.” followed Nairobi with a decline in rooms – 8,587 – are already under
So, that was the good. occupancy of 9%. construction.
The bad was in the form of “This was driven largely by “Africa makes for a very
14 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaHOTELS
& LODGES
Explore The Best Hotel Group In Africa*
*as voted for at the 2017 World Tourism Forum Africa Summit
Free State North West
aha Bloemfontein Hotel aha Lesedi
Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Gauteng Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge
aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre aha Thakadu River Camp
Madikwe River Lodge
KwaZulu-Natal
aha Alpine Heath Resort Western Cape
aha Auberge Hollandaise Guest House aha Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites
aha Avondale Boutique Hotel aha De Zalze Lodge
aha Gateway Hotel aha Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel
aha Imperial Hotel aha The Rex Hotel
aha Riverside Hotel
aha Shakaland Botswana
aha The Square Boutique Hotel & Spa Chobe Marina Lodge
aha Urban Park Hotel Masa Square Hotel
aha The Waterfront Hotel & Spa
Namibia
Limpopo aha Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House
aha Makalali Private Game Lodge aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund
aha Sefapane Lodges & Safaris aha Swakopmund Plaza Hotel
aha Epacha Game Lodge & Spa
Mpumalanga
aha Eagle Tented Lodge
aha Bongani Mountain Lodge
aha Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort Zambia
aha Greenway Woods Resort aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
Northern Cape Zimbabwe
aha Kathu Hotel The Elephant Camp
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge
2016 2017
south african best african
Book your stay with the Best Hotel Group in Africa* hotel group hotel group
+27 10 442 5888 | cro@aha.co.za | www.aha.co.za business traveller
africa awards
africa tourism
awards
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 15FEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
compelling story,” said Alex Hospitality report, with 6,352 moving, we ultimately remove it
Kyriakidis, Marriott’s President rooms under construction and 54 from the pipeline. It’s important to
& Managing Director Middle hotels in its pipeline. retain your credibility. Ultimately,
East & Africa, speaking late last “We’ve got a very credible five to eight percent of a pipeline
year. “We have always believed in pipeline and the deals in there are is inactive at any stage, but there
the potential of Africa and were formally signed deals, whether I don’t think we’re any different
the first global chain to make a that’s a management agreement from our competitors.”
significant investment in Africa or a franchise agreement,” says Like Kyriakidis and Marriott,
with the acquisition of Protea Mike Collini, Hilton’s Vice- Hilton are clear about the
Hotels in 2014. This was further President Development, sub- opportunity that Africa still
consolidated with the acquisition Saharan Africa. “We don’t include presents.
of Starwood Hotels. With letters of understanding or agreed “We remain extremely bullish
economic growth, a rising middle terms. We want credibility and on hotel growth and development
class and rapid urbanisation, we recognise that some projects in Africa,” says Collini. “We
the demand for travel and high- fall foul of funding or funding absolutely see the need and
quality lodging is growing.” takes longer than expected, or believe we have the right brands
Marriott’s most recent openings planning permits come in. But, to meet that growing need.”
in 2018 include the Sheraton if something is stuck and isn’t The Radisson Hotel Group is
Bamako Hotel, which marked the third with 4,840 rooms currently
group’s entry into Mali in West being built and an overall pipeline
Hilton Garden Inn M babane
Africa, and the long-awaited Accra of 39 hotels.
Marriott Hotel in Ghana, which is “It continues to be one of
strategically located in the heart of the fastest-growing and most
Airport City and opposite Kotoka vibrant sectors of the continent’s
International Airport. It has 208 economy,” says McLachlan. “Even
rooms, three dining venues, 800 with challenges like drops in
square metres of meeting space, a oil prices, visa regulations and
pool and a fully-equipped fitness slowdown in global economies,
centre. the hotel sector has significant
“Accra is the heartbeat of potential to create jobs and uplift
Ghana, a dynamic city bustling inclusive economic growth across
with energ y,” says Kyriakidis. “A the continent.”
commercial, manufacturing, and “We have identified 12 hotspots
communications centre with great (tier one cities) which we strongly
shopping and excellent nightlife, believe we can great scale (five-
it makes an interesting travel plus hotels per city) across at least
destination both for business and four of our five brands in Africa.
for leisure.” Our hotspots in are Cape Town,
Hilton Hotels & Resorts Johannesburg, Durban, Mauritius,
is ranked second on the W Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Addis
Ababa, Lagos, Abuja, Accra,
Abidjan and Dakar.”
According to W Hospitality,
most of fourth-placed AccorHotel’s
deals are fairly new, signed in
2016 and 2017, and therefore “it
is not surprising that only 36%
of rooms in its pipeline are under
construction.”
In total, Accor has 37 hotels in
its development pipeline, totalling
10,059 rooms. Louvre (16 hotels
and 2,414 rooms) and Meliã (six
hotels and 1,935 rooms) round
off the top six, but significantly,
both have all their pipeline rooms
under construction. Similarly,
seventh-placed Best Western (17
hotels and 1,697 rooms) has just
over 91% of its pipeline rooms
onsite.
Hyatt International,
Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts, and
16 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaFEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
HOTEL CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PIPELINES IN AFRICA 2018
TOP 10 CHAINS BY PIPELINE STATUS
ROOMS
ONSITE
RANK COMPANY HOTELS TOTAL
CONSTRUCTION
1 Marriott International 93 17,708 8,587 48.5%
2 Hilton 54 11,528 6,352 55.1%
3 Radisson Hotel Group 39 7,868 4,840 61.5%
4 AccorHotels 37 10,059 3,648 36.3%
5 Louvre Hotels Group 16 2,414 2,414 100.0%
6 Meliã Hotels International 6 1,935 1,935 100.0%
7 Best Western Hotels & Resorts 17 1,697 1,552 91.5%
8 Hyatt International 9 1,768 1,188 67.2%
9 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts 7 1,535 1,075 70.0%
10 InterContinental Hotels Group 9 1,891 856 45.3% T he Michelangelo Towers
HOTEL CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PIPELINES IN AFRICA 2018
TOP 10 BRANDS BY PIPELINE STATUS
ROOMS
ONSITE
RANK COMPANY BRANDS HOTELS TOTAL
CONSTRUCTION
1 Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Blu 24 5,318 3,322 68.6%
2 Hilton Hilton 24 6,687 3,014 45.1%
3 Marriott International Marriott 16 3,438 2,368 68.9%
4 Meliá Hotels & Resorts Meliá Hotels & Resorts 6 1,935 1,935 100.0%
5 Hilton Hilton Garden Inn 17 2,818 1,774 63.0%
6 Louvre Hotels Group Golden Tulip 9 1,662 1,662 100.0%
7 Hilton DoubleTree by Hilton 9 1,517 1,305 86.0%
8 AccorHotels Fairmont 8 2,977 1,124 37.8%
9 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Mövenpick 7 1,535 1,075 70.0%
10 Marriott International JW Marriott 6 1,645 1,038 63.1%
InterContinental Hotels Group Obviously, both these “Swiss International is under
complete the top 10. developments could have an discussion for additional hotel
An interesting development impact on Accor’s future pipeline, developments in Ethiopia, Ghana,
in April saw Accor announce a particularly in Africa. Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria,
strategic partnership with the If one looks at an international Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda,
South Africa-based Mantis Group, group that doesn’t feature in W Zambia and Zimbabwe,” says CEO
whereby Accor acquired a 50% Hospitality’s top 10, it’s clear & President Henri Kennedie.
stake in the group that consists that there is plenty of additional No surprise, then, that Swiss
of 28 managed properties, plus activity out there, as well. International are another group
a global network of branded Swiss International Hotels & that are happy to bet big on the
hotels and residences. Even more Resorts currently has 30 hotels in future of Africa.
recently, Accor announced that a pipeline that spreads over Africa, “Although several countries
it had signed an agreement with Middle East and India, and in that in Africa have suffered severe
Moevenpick Holding and Kingdom pipeline are eight newly-developed economic challenges in the
Holding to acquire Moevenpick hotels the group plans to open in past couple of years, there are
Hotels & Resorts. Moevenpick Africa by the end of 2019. still encouraging signs that
currently operates in 27 countries They include three properties businesses - mainly the hospitality
with 84 hotels (more than 20,000 in Kenya, four in Nigeria, and industry – are turning a corner,”
rooms) and has a particularly one in Uganda, across its Swiss says Kennedie. “The hospitality
strong presence in Europe and the International, Royal Swiss and business and its growth have been
Middle East. Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites brands. influenced by the expansion of
18 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaCountries,
Capitals,
Cresta Hotels,
Conference Centres...
Gaborone Harare Lusaka
There's a Cresta Conference Centre for your business and networking
needs in three different southern African countries - Botswana, Zambia
and Zimbabwe. Enjoy the best of Cresta's hospitality and facilities at
Cresta Lodge in Harare - Sango Conference Centre, Cresta Lodge in
Gaborone - Marakanelo Conference Centre and Cresta Golfview
Conference Centre, in Lusaka. There's always great food, comfortable
accommodation, brilliant facilities and the warmest welcome... Not
forgetting fast, reliable WiFi.
For Reservations and Enquiries Contact:
Cresta Hotels Central Reservations
T el: +27 11 881 1200 / Toll-Free 08612737 82
Email: reservations@crestahotels.com
www.crestahotels.com
CRESTA CRESTA CRESTA Hotels
Lodge - Harare Golfview Lusaka
Lodge - Gaborone
Sango Conference Centre Where one smile starts anotherFEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali
major international companies 2018! It would not, therefore, be
into Africa, the improving safety amiss of us to suggest that there is
and security factors which once a degree of over-optimism on the “ The overall pipeline for
crippled growth in Africa, the
increase in public spending mainly
part of the chains regarding their
expansion plans.”
hotel chains in Africa looks
from the fast-growing middle Worth noting. healthy for the future. ”
class, the reliable and perfect
climate, and Africa’s extensive INDIVIDUAL BRANDS
natural landscapes, resources and If one looks at individual
untouched environment.” brands and refers back to the W cities, airport resorts and safari
That’s another impressive Hospitality report, it’s interesting lodges,” says Collini. “Throughout
pipeline, furthering bolstering the to see that Radisson Blu has the the next five years, we hope to
number of hotels planned for the largest number of rooms under be able to secure 100 conversion
African continent over the next construction – beating the Hilton opportunities (managed and
few years. brand by over 300 rooms. franchised) with some 15-20,000
“The overall pipeline for hotel “The majority of our portfolio is rooms to significantly grow our
chains in Africa looks healthy for Radisson Blu – it’s our core brand footprint across many countries in
the future,” says the W Hospitality and the brand we always bring Africa.”
report. “Notably, Mangalis, a new to market first,” says McLachlan. With regards Hilton Garden Inn,
hotel brand launched in 2011, “As we continue to develop, I Hilton now has 17 properties in
has already managed to build a expect to increase the number of its pipeline and expects to open
significant pipeline, with 1,746 Park Inn by Radisson properties hotels under this brand in Lusaka
rooms in 14 hotels, growing the in countries like South Africa and (Zambia), Gaborone (Botswana)
existing portfolio of 425 rooms Nigeria, where I can create scale and Mbabane (Swaziland) this
in three hotels by more than four within the country.” year alone.
times. Currently, five of the 14 Hilton has two other brands “With all our brands, I think
hotels in the pipeline are under in the top 10 - Hilton Garden Hilton Garden Inn is going to
construction.” Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton – grow to be the biggest over time,”
But there is also a word of boosted by the chain’s $50 million says Collini. “When I identified
caution from W Hospitality’s Hilton Africa Growth Initiative, 200 strategic targets across sub-
Managing Director, Trevor Ward. which was unveiled at the Africa Saharan Africa, almost a hundred
“Of the total 76,322 rooms Hotel Investment Forum in Kigali, of those were with Hilton Garden
in the African pipeline, almost Rwanda late last year. Inn. The reason for that is that
34,000 rooms are said by the “HAGI is intended to support it’s a highly effective and cost-
chains to have scheduled openings the conversion of existing trading efficient model. It’s cost-efficient
this year and in 2019,” he says. hotels into Hilton’s system, and to build and very efficient to
“The reality on ground, however, we expect these funds to create operate. In terms of cost-per-key,
is that 4,000 of those rooms were conversion opportunities primarily it’s almost half of that of a Hilton-
not even under construction as for our Hilton, DoubleTree by branded property. You have to go
at the time of our data collection Hilton, and Curio brands in with what the market dictates, and
– which was the first quarter of multiple markets, including key most of these markets are showing
20 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaTravel means dreaming of what comes next.
Milestones are set beside the road not to commemorate how far you have come, but to mark the distance to the
destination ahead. At Preferred Hotels & Resorts, we are proud to celebrate five decades of travel and hospitality. It is a
landmark that comes amid great change in how, where, and why we travel. Thank you for taking this journey with us.
C A P E ROYA L E L U X U RY
HOT EL & R ESIDENCE
Cape Town, Wester n Cape, South Af r ica
SA ROVA S TA N L E Y
Nairobi, Kenya
© 2018 Preferred Hotels & Resorts 18_231 HOT EL SE A CLIFF
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
P R E F E R R E D H O T E L S . C O MFEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
the debt on new hotel projects.”
Sure, there isn’t an African
group or brand in the top 10 of W
Hospitality’s report, but the likes
of South Africa’s City Lodge have
been quietly venturing out of their
shells and have started spreading
their wings, albeit slowly and
cautiously.
Currently, the group is putting
the finishing touches to its 171-
room City Lodge Hotel at Two
Rivers Mall in Nairobi. The hotel
opened its first phase at the
beginning of this year and City
Lodge says it should be fully
operational by August/September.
City Lodge Hotel at Two Rivers Mall The 149-room City Lodge Hotel
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) is
expected to be operational by
September/October. Similarly,
the 148-room City Lodge Hotel
Maputo (Mozambique) is also
expected to be operational by
September/October.
“They are seen as part of
a selected expansion drive to
provide quality and affordable
accommodation in parts of East
and Southern Africa for mainly
business (but also leisure)
travellers,” says Angus Macmillan,
City Lodge spokesperson.
City Lodge believes it is nicely-
positioned for growth, thanks to
its diverse offering of four distinct
brands: Road Lodge (one-star),
Town Lodge (two-star), City
Lodge (three-star), and Courtyard
(four-star).
BON Hotel Abuja “Our current focus is very much
on the three-star brand, but we
do see some opportunity for our
other brands,” says Macmillan.
that Hilton Garden Inn is the right those international pipelines. “We already have a Town Lodge in
brand – the most profitable and “It’s encouraging to see the Windhoek and one in Gaborone.
the one with the best returns.” interest in Africa by most of the In some countries there is really
The rest of the brands top 10 international groups, as this is only opportunity in the capital
is made up of Marriott (Marriott the next logical destination after city, but this is subject to land
and JW Marriott), Meliã Hotels Asia and will make sense for the and building costs etc. Very few
& Resorts, Louvre’s Golden Tulip brands to develop their footprint African countries offer viable
brand, Accor’s Fairmont brand, on the continent to service the development opportunities outside
and Moevenpick of Moevenpick loyalty programmes,” says Andrew of their capital cities – Kenya
Hotels & Resorts. Rogers, aha Hotels & Lodges being one of the few. Having a
Business Development Executive. one-to-four-star brand portfolio,
AFRICAN GROUPS “It would be most interesting to we are able to look for suitable
If one looks at the W Hospitality see the brands invest their own opportunities, even if these are
report, Africa’s big hotel groups are monies into the continent, as limited.”
lagging behind their international opposed to simply seeing them City Lodge may be looking at
counterparts, but that doesn’t mean advance fees in the form of key East and Southern Africa, but
they are inactive. monies and also see them start to BON Hotels sees the opportunity
Also, a word of caution – or, at take an equity stake in projects, so in West Africa.
least, a different perspective on as to assist with developers raising BON Hotels is a South African
22 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zahospitality company that owns, and from abroad. place at the three, four and five-
manages and markets hotels The group has identified and is star international service standard
throughout Africa, and it has focusing on building a triangular hotels, which has most definitely
grown its Nigerian presence with city circuit incorporating trade, broadened our expansion into
the more recent acquisition of 11 city and northern routes that will other regions of Nigeria.”
additional properties. In doing so, effectively tie up the trade routes Stehlik also has a view on
it has increased its portfolio in for West Africa running through property developers in Africa who
West Africa to 25 hotels (although, Nigeria. embark on hotel projects without
currently, only seven are open) The circuits include: Lagos- finding the right partner and
across 14 cities and become Abuja-Port Harcourt; Owerri– doing sufficient research.
Nigeria’s largest and fastest- Onitswa–Asaba–Awka-Enugu; “I’ve experienced it time and
growing hotel group. Asaba–Orca-Enugu; and Abuja– time again – desperate property
The group has also unveiled a Kano–Kaduna–Zaria–Yola. developers reaching out to us after
revamped BON Hotel Abuja, with “There has been a total under- the hallmark DIY steps have been
the completion of phases 1 and 2 supply of international operators exhausted on their hotel project,”
that included a refurbishment and trading in Nigeria, due to security he says. “Two or three trips to
redecoration of the existing rooms issues, trading difficulties, lack China’s ‘one-stop hotel design’
and bathrooms, an upgrade and of knowledge and understanding shops later, without taking any
revamp of all the public areas, and of the local environment,” says cognisance of developing a hotel
the addition of a swimming pool, Bernard Cassar, Director of BON with the markets it will serve in
a g ym and a coffee lounge. Hotels International West Africa. mind, and a few too many plunges
With 14 new hotel projects “Previously, the bigger hotel into his own capital, funds have
underway and a further 11 being players entered the market with dried up – 30% into the project
signed, BON Hotels is on track five-star offerings at a high and the dream has become a
to tie up the trade routes linking price,” says Guy Stehlik, CEO of nightmare.”
Nigeria, making life a whole lot BON Hotels. “BON is bringing According to Stehlik, the most
easier for commuters both local affordability back into the market common errors occur at the offset
Pack your bags and head for
the summer sun
Longing for an ocean swim, some family
fun in the pool or to discover a buzzing
metropolis? With 80+ hotels we can
take you anywhere to make your travel
dreams come true and save you 30%
Book now at movenpick.com/summer
Book before 15th August 2018 for stays from 20th
May - 31st of August 2018. Two nights minimum
stay applies and a minimum of 5 days booking in
advance. Offer subject to availability at partici-
pating Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. Full terms
and conditions at movenpick.com/
sunrise Book
summer-conditions
*All stays booked online at movenpick.com earn
an extra $20 voucher to spend at restaurant out-
lets in your booked hotel. Terms and conditions
apply – see movenpick.com/en/us20voucher
Online
and earn a
$2ch0er*
Vou
movenpick.com
Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za JULY2018 | 23FEATURE – HOTEL GROUPS IN AFRICA
across the continent. They include
Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch
the Kafue River Cliff Hotel &
Conference Centre in Zambia, an
airport hotel in Lusaka, and the
Gondar Hills Resort in Ethiopia.
“The growth in Zambia is
following our strateg y to ideally
have a presence or beachhead in
major/gateway cities and then try
and develop a circuit in the rest of
the country,” says Rogers. “We are
following mainly a tourism-driven
routing into East Africa and SADC
countries, where we can create
demand for smaller cities and
lodge-type opportunities. Ideally,
we wish to be located near major
routes, and together with airport
mixed-use developments, allow
our guests to have ease of access,
various alternative offerings, and
be closer to their places of work.”
Slightly less active is Legacy
T he Maslow Time Square Hotels & Resorts, which now has
a portfolio of properties across
South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe,
Nigeria, Gabon and Ghana.
In terms of development, it has
plans for a 60-room hotel on the
Sabi River adjacent to Kruger Park
in South Africa. Phase 1 of the
development is nearing completion
and the next phase will be an
upmarket luxury hotel on Elephant
Point. Project finalisation is
in progress and the projected
opening date is 2020.
However, Legacy’s big project is
its Leonardo development in the
heart of Sandton, Johannesburg’s
business district.
“That’s in progress and rising
upwards rapidly,” says Legacy
Hotels Managing Director Paddy
Brearley. “This is a luxury mixed-
use development with shops, a
of the design and architectural from what could have been very swimming pool, restaurant and a
planning of the hotel. successful hotel developments, 2,880-metre penthouse for a mere
“A common mistake, and one because they did not see viable R250-million ($18m) asking price
that I’ve seen frequently when solutions to the project, “other – urban lifestyle at its best!”
considering projects in Africa, than demolishing the entire Brearley also has strong views
is poor planning of space,” says building at whatever stage we on the growing presence on the
Stehlik. “Food and beverage found it and starting again – we African continent of the world’s
is often a critical victim. Pool have left owners dumb-founded big international hotel groups.
bars, roof bars, restaurants and desperate and elected to walk “Africa needs growth in their
for breakfast, restaurants for away. We’ve seen some of the best economics and any additional
lunch, coffee shops, you name locations in Africa destined for investment by international hotel
it – multiple food and beverage failure by inexperienced property groups should be welcomed, as
facilities that will certainly result developers.” they hopefully bring new product
in a staffing, procurement and Also looking to grow its and expertise to the region,” he
operational disaster.” portfolio is aha Hotels & Lodges, says. “Also, for job creation and
Stehlik notes that BON Hotels and according to Rogers, the group upliftment in poor areas, new
have often had to walk away is busy with several opportunities hotels will add many positives to
24 | JULY2018 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.zaYou can also read
