Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, has accelerated its growth in Africa with six hotel openings and the addition of three hotels to its portfolio this year. The new 530 rooms bring the group’s African portfolio to a tally of 80 hotels and over 17,200 rooms in operation and under development. With an accelerated growth strategy to deliver on its significant development pipeline, within the next five years the African Portfolio will feature 125 hotels by establishing critical mass in key countries.Six Hotel Openings in 2017.
In 2017, Carlson Rezidor has opened six hotels across the continent including Polokwane, Nairobi and Kigali’s first Park Inn by Radisson; Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence in Cape Town; its first entry into Chad with Radisson Blu Hotel N’Djamena and Africa’s first Radisson RED in Cape Town.
Carlson Rezidor’s innovative global hotel and lifestyle brand that appeals to tech-savvy guests with a millennial mind-set, Radisson RED’s bold, inspirational design and philosophy is shaking up Africa’s traditional and staid hotel scene. Radisson RED Cape Town is the first new build hotel to receive a 5-star Green Star SA rating on the continent.
“Carlson Rezidor has recognised the evolution of the modern travellers needs and wants and has therefore created a bespoke brand which directly caters to them,” said Mark Willis, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s senior area vice-president for Middle East, Turkey and Africa. “These guests are not defined by a certain age – they are united by an appreciation for savvy design, energetic social spaces, technology that makes their lives easier, and customizable, unique experiences that connect them to their location. As our first Radisson RED in Africa, we are confident that Cape Town is the perfect stage to showcase this unique hotel brand concept and will spearhead a snowball expansion for this brand in key territories within this dynamic continent.”
“The three new hotel signings in Africa include two in Ethiopia, a Radisson Blu in Bishoftu and the first Park Inn by Radisson in capital city, Addis Ababa and a luxury hotel in Abuja,” said Andrew McLachlan, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Africa and Indian Ocean for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We are growing in Africa with our two core brands, and expanding our luxury presence through bespoke opportunities, fundamental to our accelerated growth strategy to deliver on our pipeline. We are thankful to our partners for their trust in our brands and people – and look forward to long-standing relationships with them.”