The 4th Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) was opened on Tuesday with the attendance of giant international hotel groups. AHIF is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers.
The following news broke at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2014 Ethiopia over the last two days:
InterContinental Hotels Group: IHG has announced the signing of the 210-key Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa which represents the company’s entry into Ethiopia. Catering to business travellers, the new hotel marks the sixth Crowne Plaza hotel in Africa and adds to the company’s growing presence in the continent.
Wyndham Hotel Group: The world’s largest hotel company with approximately 7,540 hotels, announced the signing of a management agreement for the company’s first property in Ethiopia, the 136-room Ramada® Addis. Upon opening in the first half of next year, Ramada Addis will offer 128 guest rooms and eight suites.
Accor: Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator and a market leader in Africa, is proud to confirm its first hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for early 2017. Hotel Pullman Addis Ababa, an upscale hotel, will be located right in front of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference Center. Construction has already started. Pullman Addis Ababa will propose 330 rooms, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, 7 board and meeting rooms, 1 Connectivity Lounge, 1 Fitness and Spa center, 1 pool. “Signing our first hotel, here, in Addis Ababa under the Pullman brand is a real honor. I wish to thank our partner, Enyi General Business PLC, represented by Mr. Endale Yirga, for the trust given to Accor”, said Antoine Guego, Chief Executive Officer for Accor Africa and Indian Ocean.
Best Western International Inc: Best Western International, along with Great Abyssinia Plc and Noah Real Estate Plc announce the development of two Best Western branded hotels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The BEST WESTERN PLUS and BEST WESTERN branded hotels, are planned to be opened in 2015 and 2016 respectively. These properties will be the 1st Best Western branded hotels in Ethiopia.
Grant Thornton: Grant Thornton’s Global Leader of Hospitality and Tourism, Gillian Saunders presented on how the liberalization of Africa’s skies could spark significant growth in the tourism industry. Liberalization between 12 of the 54 African countries would lead to an increase of over one million tourists and a need for 40 additional 160 room hotels in those 12 countries.