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Marriott International announced at a hospitality conference in Morocco this week that it has plans to open more than 30 new properties across the African continent by the end of 2024.
“Marriott International’s expansion plans reinforce its commitment to Africa and highlight the growth of the travel and tourism sector across the continent,” said Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President – Development, Africa, Marriott International. “We continue to see opportunities to expand in major gateway cities, commercial centers, and resort destinations across Africa, while catering to the region’s ever-changing and evolving markets through our diverse range of extraordinary brands.”
Here’s what we know so far about Marriott’s ambitious expansion plans in Africa.
Recognizing the steady increase in tourism and business travel to Africa, the world’s largest hotel chain is gearing up for a big increase in its footprint across the continent in the coming years. It currently operates almost 130 properties across 20 countries.
According to the chain, it will open over 30 properties across the vast continent, adding more than 5,000 rooms, by the end of 2024. The majority of the growth will come in select-service brands, with Four Points by Sheraton and Protea Hotels by Marriott comprising more than half of the new properties.
As noted in a press release from Marriott, Protea Hotels is among the most well-known brands in Africa, with 60 hotels currently in operation in 9 countries. Marriott plans for the brand to add 10 properties across the continent, including debuting for the first time in the countries of Angola, Kenya, and Malawi, and adding to a well-established presence in South Africa with 5 additional properties.
Four Points by Sheraton, on the other hand, is poised to open 5 new properties by the end of 2024. The brand will debut in Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, and Uganda, and will open its second hotel in Nigeria with the upcoming Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene.
While select-service brands will make up the majority of the upcoming African expansion, Marriott’s higher-end brands won’t be left out of the mix.
The chain’s Delta Hotels brand will debut in Africa for the first time by way of Tanzania with the opening of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay.
A couple of Marriott’s collection brands — made up of independent properties — will also expand their presence. The Tribute Portfolio will be represented with the opening of Laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, while the Autograph Collection is expected to open hotels in Algeria and Tanzania.
Moving up the chain, Africa will get its first Westin Hotels & Resorts property when The Westin Addis Ababa opens in the Ethiopian capital.
Finally, Marriott will open several luxury properties across 3 brands by the end of 2024. Morocco will welcome The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat Dar Es Salam in addition to The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda. Elsewhere, Kenya will welcome the JW Marriott brand for the first time with the openings of the JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi and the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, which is the brand’s first foray into the luxury safari market.
Marriott is planning a major expansion in Africa. The additions span almost the entire range of the chain’s brands — from select-service hotels to first-rate luxury resorts.
This news should be welcomed by fans of Marriott and members of its Bonvoy loyalty program, as it will provide many more opportunities to earn and redeem Bonvoy points across the vast continent of Africa.
