Marriott reveals expansion plans for SA, Africa

Marriott International has announced that it is on track to increase its portfolio by 50% with over 200 hotels and 38 000 rooms by 2023 as it looks to consolidate its presence in Africa.

Marriott made the announcement, which includes five new hotel signings, at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum which is presently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.

The new signings will further consolidate Marriott International’s presence in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa, and mark the company’s entry into Mozambique, which Marriott says will generate an estimated 12 000 jobs. 

“Marriott International’s acquisition of Protea Hotels followed by the acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has given an impetus to our organic growth on the continent. Today we are seeing strong owner interest in our brands, backed by our combined loyalty programme, the collective strength of our global platform and our highly-experienced, local teams,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, of Marriott International.

“African economies have sustained unprecedented rates of growth, which have mainly been driven by a strong domestic demand, improved macroeconomic management and increased political stability. The continent is still under capacity as far as branded hotel supply is concerned, presenting us with a fantastic opportunity to grow our brands and enhance our footprint.”

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Marriott International has signed two new hotels under the Protea Hotels by Marriott brand including Protea Hotel by Marriott Accra Kotoka Airport, Ghana, and Protea Hotel by Marriott Nairobi, Kenya. Earlier this year, Marriott International signed Protea Hotel by Marriott Pretoria Loftus Park, which is planned to open later this year.
 
The company also signed Four Points by Sheraton Nampula, Mozambique, which will be its first hotel in the country. The hotel is expected to open in 2023.
                 
Later this year, Marriott International will debut the AC by Marriott brand into Africa with the opening of the 188-room AC by Marriott Cape Town, Waterfront. The company has also signed its second AC by Marriott hotel in Africa, AC by Marriott Umhlanga Ridge, Kwazulu Natal, Durban.
 
The company expects to introduce some of its other well-known select-service brands like Aloft Hotels, Element, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott with hotels already under development. It is also looking for opportunities to bring Fairfield by Marriott to the continent.
 
Speaking on the increased interest in mixed-use development projects, Kyriakidis said, "As cities evolve and grow into flourishing urban centres, we will continue to see a lot of activity in this space."

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