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Starwood Hotels Boost Hospitality Business With Multiple Deals

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
16 October 2015   |   11:48 pm
Starwood Hotels and Resorts recently made a remarkable impact in the hospitality industry with the signing of seven new deals across Africa and Indian Ocean.

starwoodStarwood Hotels and Resorts recently made a remarkable impact in the hospitality industry with the signing of seven new deals across Africa and Indian Ocean.

In a ceremony that took place recently in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, host of African Hotels Investment Forum (AHIF), the leadership of Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced an aggressive expansion of its market in Africa and Indian Ocean.

The group also announced plans to expand portfolio by over 50 per cent in the next five years through introduction of more brands.
For the President, Starwood Europe, Africa and Middle East, Michael Wale, the company is well established with 34 operating facilities and about 20 more in the process of completion.

He said:  “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 per cent 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”.

Wale credited the growth experienced in the company to their peculiar lifestyle, which was acceptable by their owners on one hand and their customers and guests on the other hand.
“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”.

Adding: “Africa is a market with huge potentials. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanization, 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”, Wale maintained.

Also speaking at the occasion was the Senior Vice President, Acquisition and Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Africa & Middle East, Neil George, who said the company thrives in taking advantage of available opportunities.

He said:  “We are excited with the success we are seeing in the continent. Franchising has opened up new opportunities for us and it is a strategy that is helping drive growth of our mid-market brands.
“We are also beginning to see more and more opportunities for conversion and we are pursuing them actively. We are confident that this will give further impetus to our growth trajectory.
“We remain focused on choosing the right partner and the right brand in established, emerging as well as unexplored but interesting destinations”.

For the Vice President, Regional Director Operations for Starwood in Africa and Indian Ocean, Hassan Ahdab, the brand’s long legacy has given it a competitive edge among its peers.
“Our lifestyle brands are also resonating with the aspirational and fast growing middle class in the region. Our accelerated growth and strengthened footprint is driving market share and building loyalty beyond reason.

Expectantly, new openings will bring new opportunities for employment for the young and aspiring talent”, Ahdab stated.
Out of the seven new deals, Nigeria has two. They include W Sharm El Sheikh and The Residences at W Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt); Sheraton Bamako (Mali); The Westin Abuja and Residences (Nigeria); Four Points by Sheraton Abuja and Residences (Nigeria); Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport (Kenya); Aloft Dakar (Senegal) as well as Element Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). With the new signings Starwood will further build its position in Nigeria and Egypt, increase its presence in Senegal and enter new markets, which include Mali, Kenya and Tanzania.
Public Relations Manager, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, Tyem Nanji, who spoke to The Guardian on the new deals said the W Sharm El Sheikh and The Residences at W Sharm El Sheikh were spectacular for visionary designs and luxury.

She noted that W Hotels Worldwide would make its entry into Egyptian hospitality industry with W Sharm El Sheikh and Residences by the year 2020.

Owned by Tower Prestige for Hotels SAE, the hotel with 350 stylish guest rooms and suites would be located at Nabq Bay in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheikh.
” It will also feature 50 branded residences with a dedicated Resident’s Lounge and access to the signature W offerings and services available at the hotel”, Tyem explained.

The completion period for Westin Abuja and The Residences has been put at 2022. With a 389 contemporary guest rooms and suites capacity, the facility would be sited within the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory.
The hotel will also feature 194 branded residences with access to hotel facilities. In partnership with Century Health and Hospitalities Limited, the project also includes a Four Points by Sheraton Hotel with branded residences.

Meanwhile, Four Points by Sheraton Abuja will feature 212 spacious and contemporary guest rooms including suites and 150 branded residences with access to hotel facilities.

With the two projects, Tyem said “Starwood will add over 600 rooms, thereby reinforcing Starwood’s position as a leading hospitality player in the country”.

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