Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide used the recent Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to announce its expansion in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.Today, the company has a strong footprint with 34 operating hotels and a robust pipeline of 20 hotels under development. With the expansion of its luxury, upscale and mid-market brands, Starwood will grow its portfolio by over 50% in the next five years, with more than 50 hotels operating and nine out of its 10 compelling lifestyle brands flying their flag in the region.
“The momentum of growth we are seeing in Africa today is unprecedented. It is a reiteration of the trust our owners have in us, the power of our distinct lifestyle brands and the strength of our global distribution and award-winning loyalty program,” said Michael Wale, President for Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East.
“Africa is a market with huge potential. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanisation, the demand for travel and quality lodging will continue to grow and provide us with a significant opportunity to grow our brands and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent.”
2015/2016 Opening Highlights
Starwood will open 7 hotels in the next year, including:
* Opening of Four Points by Sheraton Oran in November marking the entry of the brand into Algeria followed by Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene (Nigeria) in 2016.
* Opening of The Westin Soma Bay Golf Resort & Spa, after conversion which marks the entry of the brand into Egypt, followed by opening of a new Westin in Cairo, The Westin Katameya Dunes, in early 2016, further strengthening the Westin brand presence and consolidating Starwood’s position as a leading hospitality player in Egypt.
* The debut of Starwood’s ultra-luxury brand St. Regis in Egypt with opening of The St. Regis Cairo in 2016.
* Re-opening of the iconic Sheraton Cairo after extensive renovation in 2016.
* Opening of Sheraton Conakry, marking the entry of the brand and Starwood’s first hotel in Guinea
Starwood currently operates nearly 9,500 rooms in 13 countries including Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda. It is now set to debut into new countries like Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan and Tanzania and will soon have more than 13,000 rooms with presence in 21 countries in Africa generating thousands of employment opportunities across the continent.
