Meliá Hotels International announces growth interest in Sub-Saharan Africa

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

Meliá Hotels International has attended the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Nairobi, looking at opportunities to grow its business and brands in the area, which has become one of the company’s key destinations for development.The company is now facing a period with the aim of consolidating its management strengths and developing exponentially in emerging destinations, with a growing interest in Africa. At this moment, the hotel chain’s presence within the continent is focused in Egypt (4 hotels: Meliá Sharm, Meliá Sinai, Sol Cyrene and Sol Sharm), Cape Verde (1 hotel: Meliá Tortuga), Tanzania (1 hotel: Meliá Zanzibar), and other several projects in the pipeline due to open in next years.

The Spanish company came to Nairobi looking for new projects to develop in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, “we are very keen to study opportunities under management agreements in countries such as Kenya, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia, where we are confident to engage hotel owners and investors with our strong brand portfolio and know how, both in urban and resort destinations”. The Northern Africa is also of interest for the hotel group, especially Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, while other important destination in the continent is South Africa.

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International is one of the largest hotel companies worldwide as well as the absolute leader within the Spanish market, which has developed an impressive portfolio of hotel brand concepts and a sophisticated infrastructure of management services. The company’s international growth strategy has allowed Meliá Hotels International, with more than 350 hotels in 35 countries, to target the most dynamic markets, being the first Spanish hotel company with presence in destinations such as China, the Arabian Gulf or the U.S., as well as maintaining its leadership in traditional markets such as Europe, Latin America or the Caribbean.

Meliá Hotels International’s global growth strategy is based on a consistent internationalization plan, via low capital intensive formulas, through its range of midscale, upscale and premium brands. The hotel chain operates seven brands to target different guest profiles. Gran Meliá, ME by Meliá and Paradisus Resorts form the premium portfolio, with stunning facilities in preferred business and leisure destinations. Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the most well-known brand of the portfolio, with over 100 properties worldwide. Innside by Meliá is a modern business brand with a very strong reputation. Both of them form the upscale portfolio, while TRYP by Wyndham (in alliance with Wyndham Hotel Group) and Sol Hotels are the midscale brands.

Daniel Fountain / 03.11.2012

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.