The InterContinental Hotel Group on Wednesday, 2nd of November, 2022, announced its franchise partnership agreement with Msafiri Limited to expand its portfolio and presence in the fast-growing African market. This newly formed agreement will initiate the renovation and rebranding of three properties namely: 

• Crown Plaza Dar es Salaam in Tanzania  
• Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall in Kenya and 
• The Fairview Nairobi in Kenya. 

 

IHG, in collaboration with the new owners, plans to elevate the guest experience with scheduled renovations and enhancements to meet the brand’s high global standards. This development is a response to the growing number of tourists and travellers to African destinations, creating demand for these developments, thus, boosting the continent’s profile as a fertile location for real estate investments.

 

In a statement released via the company’s website Haitham Mattar, the managing director, said: “Africa’s hospitality and tourism industry has weathered the disruption of the past two years, with a rising number of inbound travellers highlighting how much potential the region has. Our expansion across Kenya and Tanzania is testament to how IHG Hotels & Resorts is encouraging this potential and meeting the returning demand quickly. We are delighted to have these properties join the IHG family and are excited to offer our guests the exceptional hospitality that we are known for.”

 

He further added: “an ownership that includes Actis and Westmont Hospitality is an important partnership to IHG, we are pleased to grow together in the region and to bring exceptional properties and hospitality to guests visiting these two important gateway cities.”

 

A representative on behalf of the ownership said, “we are delighted to strengthen our partnership with IHG and expand our portfolio together into new markets and different brands.  Africa has tremendous MICE, business and leisure growth potential. Franchising with IHG at a time when travellers are increasingly purchasing branded offers on the continent also makes sense. These three hotels that are joining the IHG platform are very well located and will offer guests a great place to stay. We expect all three properties to benefit from the strength and scale of IHG’s global systems, technology and strong loyalty programme”

 

Funke Okubadejo, Director Real Estate, Actis commented: “We are excited to establish a relationship with IHG, through our joint venture with Westmont Hospitality and this continues our track record of investing in exciting Real Estate opportunities across key locations in Africa.”

 

This recent investment in the African hospitality industry by a major player like IHG signals that the African market is recovering from the COVID-induced slump it faced. This news follows the recent commencement of Somerset, Rosslyn by MAREF and the recent acquisition of Crowne Plaza by Kasada Capital – signs that point to renewed activity in a burgeoning market as highlighted in a previous article.

 

We love your feedback! Let us know what you think about IHG’s partnership with Msafiri by sending an email to [email protected]. 

 

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