Rezidor Hotel Group announced this week that it plans to expand with 10 new hotels in Africa as part of its continental development strategy for 2009.

President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group Kurt Ritter said during a media briefing at the grand opening of the new Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton in Johannesburg on Wednesday that the group will not falter in its commitment to Africa, amid the global economic slowdown.

"Rezidor’s global business development strategy is to introduce our world-class brands in emerging markets such as Africa and Russia, which are upcoming destinations for business and leisure travellers. We are confident that Africa’s tourism will reach new heights during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup next year, which will unlock the world’s appreciation of this continent’s unscathed beauty and offering as a world-class destination."

The group this week also announced two Radisson Blu hotels for Luanda, Angola (a property located on the edge of the capital city’s CBD right on the beach with an investment value of US$80-million that will feature 257 rooms) and also in Lusaka, Zambia (a property with an investment value of US$40-million that will feature 142 rooms). In addition Rezidor will continue to pursue the development of hotels in South Africa, Namibia, DRC and Nigeria, while also targeting the Indian Ocean Islands.

US$800-million in 24 months

In the last 24 months Rezidor has tripled its African portfolio, adding 18 hotels and approximately 4000 rooms in countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal and South Africa. This represents an investment in new hotels in Africa of more than US$800-million which Rezidor will manage for hotel owners under either their first class Radisson Blu brand or mid-market Park Inn brand.

Today the group has 25 hotels and approximately 6000 rooms open or under development in 13 countries in Africa. Through its 2009 expansion plans, the group plans to add 1500 rooms to its existing capacity of 6000 rooms in Africa. The group operates five hotel brands — including Radisson Blu, Park Inn, Hotel Missoni, Regent and Country Inn.

Andrew McLachlan, Rezidor’s vice president for business development in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, said the group will continue to focus on new build hotel projects and conversion opportunities of existing unbranded hotels and hotels currently operated by competitor hotel groups in South Africa.

In March 2009 Rezidor will open the Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth and in 2010 the group will open its second Radisson in Sandton and a Radisson in Blaauwberg, Cape Town which will compliment the very established and successful Radisson Blu Hotel Cape Town Waterfront. Rezidor plans to announce more hotels in the Cape Town, Durban and Gauteng area over the next 12 months under either its first class Radisson brand or mid-market Park Inn brand. Rezidor will open Radisson hotels in Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia during 2009.

Recognizing Africa’s growing potential and the drastic lack of quality hotels

Recognizing Africa’s growing potential and the drastic lack of quality hotels in many countries, Rezidor formed a MEUR 35 financial Joint Venture with four Nordic government investment funds, all with considerable experience in Africa. The partners have teamed up their intelligence and financial resources to set up AfriNord Hotel Investments a company that provides mezzanine financing or, in certain cases, secured loans to companies owning and developing hotel and resort projects in selected African destinations.

Earlier this year, the Rezidor Hotel Group was one of the first international hotel groups to sign the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, supporting UN policies on universally accepted practices around human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

In addition, Radisson SAS Resort and Thalasso Djerba has won a 2009 TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice Award for 'Best Luxury Hotel, Africa' which was announced last year.

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