AFRICA: Scramble For Africa Hospitality Business Attracts Hilton, Accor, Marriot, Hyatt

Hilton will soon enter the Ugandan market, enhancing the country's growing hospitality industry. The company's representatives on March 22 signed a hotel management agreement with TWED Property Development Company to manage a 23-storey property.

The construction of a 244-guest room property on 1200 sq metres in the upscale Nakasero suburb in central Kampala is already underway.

The complex will comprise several high end meeting and conferencing facilities including a ballroom for up to 500 guests, a 518-car park, spa and fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool.

It will include multiple restaurants offering a wide range of dining outlets to include a destination sports bar and a sky bar with city, golf course and lake views. Guests will be able to choose between upscale guest rooms and a range of suites, including a Presidential Suite.

The Hilton hotel brand is one of the biggest and most luxurious hotel chains in the world, operating over 4,000 hotel facilities in over 113 countries. However, many of these properties are franchised to independent operators and companies.

Its brand portfolio is said to be the highest performing and most-diverse in the industry with 12 brands, over 715,000 hotel rooms and a workforce of over 155,000 worldwide.

In Africa, the hotel chain operates 43 hotels and is embarking on an exciting period of growth, with plans to double its portfolio of hotels on the continent during the next five years.

This will include entering new markets such as Botswana, Ghana, Swaziland, Uganda, Malawi and Rwanda. So far, development of 53 properties is in the pipeline.

Uganda is a country very close to my heart, so I am very proud to have been able to be personally present at the unveiling of this fantastic hotel, said Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton's Senior Vice President in charge of development for Europe, Middle East and Africa during the unveiling of the plan.

This development comes as the hotel chain managers plan to open its 96 guest room Hilton Garden Inn Kampala in the coming months.

This is a landmark year for Hilton in Uganda as we prepare to welcome guests for the very first time at our upcoming Hilton Garden Inn Kampala, so no better time for us to be signaling our commitment to the market than by partnering with TWED to bring our flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to the country.

We couldn't be happier to be entering the field alongside Hilton, an operator with a strong commitment to the market and 100 years of industry expertise, said Dr Dan Twebaze, the managing director, TWED Property Development Company.

The Hilton Hotel brand could have entered the country's hotel industry much earlier through the management of AYA Property, now known as Pearl of Africa Hotel. Instead, the South African based Sovereign Hotels was granted the management contract.

Tourism industry executives say that Hilton's investment in Uganda is a plus for the tourism industry as it will attract a number of tourists who have been yearning for their services.

Hilton opens Uganda to a different segment of clientele. It is a very positive development for Uganda in terms of international reputation and quality, said Lilly Ajarova, the executive director at the Uganda Tourism Board.

Meanwhile, Marriott International announced recently that Uganda is among several countries where it expects to add nearly 20 properties under its Middle East and Africa portfolio this year.

This follows the acquisition of two properties previously owned by the South Africa-based Protea Hospitality Holding, where it has been operating as Protea Hotel for the past five years.

Marriott management said they plan to open up two more properties in Kampala - Hotel Naguru and Naguru Skyz.

Hilton Garden Inn globally recognized midscale hotel brand, is celebrating strong growth in Africa with four open properties and an additional 14 in the pipeline just three years after opening its first hotel on the continent in 2016.

Many of these properties represent first-in-country openings for Hilton Garden Inn and for the Hilton enterprise as a whole, including Botswana, Zambia and Uganda.

Speaking from Africa’s Travel Indaba, John Greenleaf, global head, Hilton Garden Inn said, We have positioned Hilton Garden Inn for success in Africa with a prototype developed specifically for the region.

This prototype has been curated to meet the expectations of both travelers and owners throughout Africa, while maintaining the brand’s signature light, bright and airy design as well as the consistent, core guest offerings and amenities that the brand is recognized for around the world.

Each hotel is built in the Hilton Garden Inn tradition featuring modern guest rooms perfect for work and comfort. Guests may unwind in a relaxing social setting, enjoying handcrafted cocktails, light bites or dinner.

The Shop, a 24-hour, grab-and-go retail space, offers an upscale mix of healthy, indulgent and fresh foods, varietal beverages and a self-serve specialty coffee bar.

To date, Hilton Garden Inn has four properties and nearly 800 rooms open in Africa, including:

Morocco: Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center Opened March 2016 – Hilton Garden Inn’s initial entry into Africa, this property is steps away from the beach and the famed Tanger City Mall with stunning views of the city and Mediterranean Sea

Kenya: Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport Opened February 2018 – Hilton Garden Inn’s first property in Kenya is a welcoming oasis close to Nairobi’s international airport with a rooftop infinity pool

Zambia: Hilton Garden Inn Lusaka Society Business Park Opened August 2018 – Zambia’s first Hilton hotel, this Hilton Garden Inn property is centrally located in the heart of Lusaka City, perfect for business travelers

Botswana: Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone Opened February 2019 – Hilton’s first hotel in the country, this Hilton Garden Inn property is centrally located in the city's new Central Business District

Countries such as Botswana and Uganda are some of the fastest growing economies in the world, with impressive visitor offerings.

The Hilton Garden Inn brand appeals to the rise of middle-class travelers into and across Africa, providing an opportunity for us to open hotels and meet guest demand in key destinations, said Jan Van Der Putten, VP Operations, Africa and Indian Ocean, Hilton.

With 14 hotels and nearly 2,400 rooms in the Africa pipeline, Hilton Garden Inn Kampala in Uganda and Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane in Eswatini are in the pipeline to open this month as first-in-country properties for both Hilton Garden Inn and the Hilton enterprise.

The pipeline also projects Hilton Garden Inn Windhoek in Namibia to open later this year, another first-in-country for Hilton Garden Inn.

Other African countries in the Hilton Garden Inn pipeline include Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

As Hilton Garden Inn expands in Africa, the Hilton enterprise as a whole is also expected to double its footprint across Africa from 44 hotels today to almost 100 over the next several years.

Hilton, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month, has a rich legacy of hospitality leadership in the region. As shared in The Hilton Effect, Hilton was the first international hotel brand in the newly created capital of Abuja more than 30 years ago.

Hilton produced infrastructure, created sewage and electric systems, built factories, paved roads and recruited Team Members from around the world to quickly teach locals, many of whom had never set foot in a hotel to deliver five-star service to nearly 1,000 government officials.

Hilton Garden Inn is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 17 distinct hotel brands.

The award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand provides business and leisure guests upscale, affordable accommodations and unexpected amenities for an experience that is ‘Simply on Another Level.’ The Hilton Garden Inn Promise affirms the brand’s goal to make each guest’s stay better and brighter.

Guaranteed. Team Members at more than 820 hotels in 42 countries around the world ensure today’s busy travelers have a bright and satisfying experience, starting with the first hello.

As a recognized F&B leader, Hilton Garden Inn serves locally-sourced food and beverage at its full-service restaurants and bars, featuring cooked-to-order breakfast, handcrafted cocktails, and on-trend small plates.

Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits.

Over the coming decade, affluent Africans—and visitors to the continent—will have a lot more hotel options to choose from. That’s because some of the world’s largest hotel chains are betting big on expansion plans in Africa.

AccorHotels, the largest hotel operator in Africa with brands like Sofitel, Novotel and Ibis, set the pace back in July with an ambitious partnership with Qatar-based Katara Hospitality for a $1 billion fund to drive expansion in sub-Saharan Africa’s hotel market.

AccorHotels currently operates over 100 hotels on the continent.

Marriott, the chain which currently operates brands in 21 African countries, is doubling down on the continent as well with plans to increase its hotels in Africa by 50% by 2023.

As well as expanding in several markets where it already operates, Marriott is opening in new markets including Benin, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal. Marriott’s expansion will boost its Africa presence to 38,000 rooms across 200 hotels.

It’s a total that’s currently much higher than the 41 hotels operating under brands owned by Hilton. But with 53 hotels currently planned, the US-headquartered chain is also looking to double its Africa footprint over the next five years.

Much of its plans come under its Hilton Africa Growth Initiative, a $50 million expansion drive to open 100 new hotels with 20,000 rooms across the continent mainly by converting existing hotels to Hilton brands.

Hilton is also looking to have a footprint in new African countries with debut hotels planned in up to 13 African countries.

Hyatt, a less dominant player in the continent’s hotel space, is also stepping up development plans with nine new hotels expected to open by 2020.

Eyeing a much quicker development pace, Radission Hospitality plans to open 10 new hotels across Africa over the next nine months.

The running theory among hospitality experts is that several Africa countries with growing economies and rapidly developing urban centers are a high-growth market for hotels.

Indeed, hotel chains began ramping up expansion plans in Africa back in 2016. Marriott thinks the continent is still under capacity when it comes to branded hotels.

Some of the demand is seen in growing tourist arrival numbers on the continent: between 1995 and 2014, international tourist arrivals more than doubled, growing at a rate of 6% every year.

Africans are also traveling more around the continent and now account for four in every 10 international visitors on the continent. And with the newly established Single African Air Transport Market expected to result in cheaper flights between African cities, that share could well increase.

But as hotel chains expand, they will also face competition from a now familiar adversary in Airbnb as the hospitality startup gains a stronger foothold on the continent, too.

Since launching in Africa in 2013, Airbnb has notched up over 130,000 listings which have welcomed over 3.5 million guests with around half of those arriving in the past year alone.

Even more, seven African countries recorded over a 100% increase in Airbnb guest arrivals over the past year and the continent now also accounts for three of Airbnb’s eight fastest growing markets globally.


Tourism Observer

Hilton Builds First Modular Hotel In Africa

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) (www.Hilton.com) has marked this year’s African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) with the announcement of new properties and extensions in three African countries. It continues the company’s commitment to expansion across the continent as it seeks to double its footprint from its existing 39 hotels to more than 80 hotels in the next 3-5 years.

Among the new hotels agreed is Africa’s first modular build hotel (http://APO.af/b50EhV), the 280 guest-room Hilton Garden Inn in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, a concept that Hilton first premiered in 2014 through a partnership with CIMC Modular Building Systems. Other deals see the creation of Africa’s tallest hotel in Nairobi, while Hilton builds on its industry leading airport hotel legacy with an extension to the recently signed Legend Curio at Lagos Airport. Hilton will manage all three properties as it continues to expand its managed hotel portfolio.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president development, EMEA, Hilton Worldwide said, “Having been present in Africa for more than 50 years we’re proud to have remained at the forefront of pioneering hotel growth on the continent. This year at AHIF we’re breaking new ground in the region with the announcement of our first modular build hotel, a fast-paced construction solution that we feel has huge potential in Africa, with quicker returns for investors and a world-class hospitality experience for guests.

“We remain hugely committed to Africa across our portfolio of world-class brands, continuing to introduce our hotels to new markets across the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa in the coming years.”

Modular construction is an innovative solution that can be used to drive hotel development, offering numerous benefits including faster development, streamlined design and cost efficiencies. The process involves assembling portions of the hotel - including guest rooms and hallways - in China, before transporting them to the final site for completion, thereby significantly reducing the time taken for construction. The model helps ensure consistent quality and accelerates the build schedule on site, a particular benefit for developers and investors in emerging markets.

Hilton Garden Inn Accra Liberation Road is being developed under a management agreement with Independence Properties Ltd, whose majority shareholder is Trasacco Estates Development Company Ltd. With a planned opening in 2018, this will be the first Hilton Garden Inn in Ghana.

Ian Morris Director Independence Properties and CEO Trasacco Estates Development Company said: "After building a number of three star plus properties in West Africa the option to go modular and improve on room quality, project delivery and minimise construction risk was warmly embraced by our development, design and construction teams and we feel is the future of the industry."

Paul Blackmore, Managing Director CIMC MBS, said: “We are very proud of the continued association between Hilton and CIMC, with Hilton Garden Inn being an excellent brand for utilising our modular technology. In Independence Properties we have another great partner focussed on a high-quality product. Africa is a key strategic focus for CIMC, where our solutions can minimise risk on site while protecting and improving owner returns.”

Located on Liberation Road, the main connection between Ghana’s capital and its major international airport, the hotel will feature three restaurants and amenities offered at each Hilton Garden Inn location, including complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour business and fitness centers, alongside four adjustable meeting rooms and a 450sqm ballroom.

Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill, Kenya (255 guest rooms)

A management agreement with Jabavu Village Ltd and White Lotus Projects sees Hilton expand on its existing presence in Kenya to create Africa’s tallest building. Standing 330m high, Hilton Nairobi Upper Hill is due to open in 2020, as a 255 guest-room and suite hotel in Kenya’s capital. It will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, including a relaxing poolside bar, speciality smokehouse and grill restaurant, lobby dining area with landscaped deck and a boutique rooftop bar with unbeatable vista views of the Nairobi skyline on the 43rd level.

Finally, having previously announced the signing of Curio, The Legend, Lagos Airport, Hilton has also confirmed that an additional 76 guest rooms will be added to the hotel bringing the room count up to 130-keys and further strengthening its expansion in the country. The hotel, due to open during 2017 will be the first within the airport environment giving guests and airline passengers alike unrivalled ease of access to the airports’ facilities.

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,700 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with over 775,000 rooms in 104 countries and territories. For 97 years, Hilton has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where Hilton HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key.

USA: Hilton Launches Online Hub So Travellers Can Visualise Holidays

Hilton recently launched its “Stop Clicking Around” marketing campaign, the largest in the company’s 97-year history, which lays out the benefits to travelers of booking hotel stays directly on the company’s website. Now, Hilton Hotels & Resorts is introducing a new way for travelers to turn “someday” travel dreams into “let’s go!” experiences with its Our Stage.

Your Story. platform. Through a partnership with motivational bestselling author and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Derek Hough, the brand is encouraging people to move from dreaming to doing, and ultimately book their next great travel story, using tools provided on the online hub OurStageYourStory.com.

Hilton has found in a recent study1 that 86 percent of travelers set goals for themselves – including places to see and things to do – and for those travelers, visualization is key to achieving their travel goals. To bridge the gap between visualizing and doing, Hilton and Hough are encouraging OurStageYourStory.com visitors to create their own digital vision boards.

The site offers a selection of templates and a library of bucket-list-worthy destination images to enable aspiring travelers to build their dream experience, find inspiration from fellow travelers and share it through social media.

Best known for his leading role on “Dancing with the Stars” and soon to star in Broadway’s “Singin’ in the Rain,” Hough explains how motivational tools can help anyone achieve goals.

“In my career as a performer and coach, I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential – both on stage and in everyday life.

Visualization is an important method for me to channel my creativity in pursuit of my personal and professional goals,” said Hough.

“For me, whether on the road for work or taking time for myself, exploring a new place has always been a great way to gain new perspective and soak up inspiration. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Hilton this year to share my tools for success and help others realize their dreams.”

Throughout the year, Hilton will refresh the site with new content, and provide travel inspiration to people on and offline.

The brand is taking to the streets of New York City to delight consumers with Hilton “StoryFinders.” Disguised as normal city viewfinders, passersby in Union Square and Midtown East will find themselves transported to an exotic beach destination – and may even be surprised by Hough with a free two-night stay at a Hilton Hotels & Resorts property of their choice.

Starting March 18, users who create their vision board at www.OurStageYourStory.com will be invited to share it on Hilton’s social channels for the chance to get one step closer to making their dream vacation a reality.

“Whether it’s a beachside escape, safari expedition or local weekend getaway, the dream to travel is nearly universal – and Hilton has been enabling memorable travel stories around the world for nearly 100 years,” said Mary Beth Parks, senior vice president, global brand marketing, Hilton Worldwide. “Through Our Stage. Your Story., we want to inspire travelers to not just imagine a great experience, but to actually live it.

Once dreamers are ready to embark on their next travel story, they can get the best rates, instant benefits and access to unforgettable, exclusive experiences by joining Hilton HHonors and booking directly with us.”

Also debuting throughout the year will be print and digital marketing creative that showcases the brand through new dimensions and inspires consumers to book their dream travel, including a richly immersive experience launching today via The New York Times Virtual Reality app.

CHINA: Hilton Shenzhen Futian Opens Third Hilton In Shenzhen

Hilton Worldwide and Hilton Hotels & Resorts have announced the opening of Hilton Shenzhen Futian. This hotel marks the second Hilton Hotels & Resorts property and the third Hilton Worldwide hotel in Shenzhen. Strategically situated in the heart of Shenzhen, the 23-story hotel features 320 contemporary guestrooms and suites and is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Great China International Group Co., Ltd. To date, Hilton Worldwide has over 60 operating hotels in Greater China.

“China is one of the most important and fastest growing markets for Hilton Worldwide, and the opening of Hilton Shenzhen Futian is an important milestone for Hilton Worldwide. The hotel is located in Shenzhen’s financial and commercial center and is the ideal hotel for travelers to Shenzhen, whether they are here for a conference, business trip, or simply sightseeing,” said Bruce McKenzie, senior vice president of operations, Greater China and Mongolia, Hilton Worldwide.

Centrally located in Shenzhen’s Central Business District, Hilton Shenzhen Futian is within walking distance of the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre and City Hall. The hotel is just 35.9 kilometers away from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, and also enjoys convenient access to Hong Kong’s border and the Huanggang or Futian Ports, all within three kilometers. In addition, the hotel will provide guests with an exciting experience of the city with convenient access to shopping malls and more.

“Shenzhen is one of China’s wealthiest cities, a bustling, modern metropolis that links Hong Kong to China’s mainland and also a major transport hub for the region,” said Rob Palleschi, global head, full service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “As one of the first international hotel brands to break the Chinese market more than 25 years ago, the opening of Hilton Shenzhen Futian is key in affirming Hilton’s global presence and our commitment to supporting the development of growing global economies.”

Guests at Hilton Shenzhen Futian can indulge in a variety of on-site dining options, spacious accommodations and state-of-the-art business and leisure facilities while staying connected to the city center complex. Guests can start the day with a delicious breakfast and enjoy various cuisines at Mis.U, an all-day dining venue, or visit Lan Ting Chinese restaurant to enjoy contemporary Cantonese and Sichuan specialties, expertly prepared by our Cantonese Head Chef and his team. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea, coffee and pastries or catch up with friends over a wide selection of drinks in a laid-back atmosphere at the trendy Lobby Lounge, or they can sit back with a glass of wine or a whiskey at Mr. Wong bar, enjoying spectacular city views while immersed in the sounds of jazz.

Hilton Shenzhen Futian features a broad range of modern amenities, including a 24-hour fitness center and a 25-meter heated outdoor swimming pool. Spanning 400 sq. meters on the 20th and 21st floors, the Executive Lounge offers complimentary breakfast, evening cocktails and private Check-In and Check-Out services for guests staying in executive rooms and suites.

Hilton Shenzhen Futian has 17 versatile function spaces comprising 2,400 sq. meters, including a 600 sq. meter pillar-free Grand Ballroom that can be configured with the latest conferencing technology to deliver a memorable meeting experience. From corporate events to social gatherings, Hilton Shenzhen Futian’s dedicated events team will help plan a successful event down to the last detail.