Hyatt plans to double its presence in Africa by 2020 with six new hotels, expanding into four additional countries and creating up to 2,100 jobs. The company is particularly focused on East Africa, a region seeing rising government infrastructure investment and a 14% increase in international arrivals during the first half of 2017.
“Development opportunities for Hyatt in Africa are significant, and we see enormous potential in the region. This expansion reinforces our commitment to developing our pipeline in Africa,” said Peter Penev, vice president of acquisitions and development at Hyatt. He noted that the introduction of a Pan-African, visa-free passport and ongoing improvements in air connectivity are expected to boost both leisure and business travel. Hyatt plans to work closely with local developers and partners to advance its growth strategy across East Africa.
The first openings include Hyatt Centric Dakar in Senegal and Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, both scheduled for next summer. Hyatt Centric Dakar will mark Hyatt’s debut in Senegal and the brand’s first Centric property on the continent, featuring 140 guestrooms and two restaurants. Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa will offer 180 guestrooms and convenient access to the city’s main attractions and the airport.
Also scheduled for late 2018, Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport is being developed alongside an airport expansion project. Positioned opposite a new terminal, the 326-room hotel is planned as the only hotel directly linked to the airport terminal, serving transit and business guests.
In early 2019, Park Hyatt Marrakech in Morocco and Hyatt Regency Arusha in Tanzania will open as each country’s third Hyatt-branded property. Park Hyatt Marrakech is a 120-room luxury resort featuring a resort complex and an 18-hole golf course. Hyatt Regency Arusha will sit on 29 acres near prominent natural attractions and provide 144 guestrooms for visitors exploring the region’s landscapes.
Finally, Hyatt Regency Douala in Cameroon is expected to open in late 2020. The 200-room property, located in the city’s financial district, will include more than 1,200 square meters of meeting and event space and is tailored to business travelers.