The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which operates 1,370 hotels in more than 110 countries, has targeted Africa as its key global investment region. The commitment to the emerging markets of the region is due to the continent’s long-term economic growth rates, which are forecast to be amongst the fastest in the world.
The announcement of 3 new hotel openings in South Africa, with 2 in Cape Town, will create 1500 new jobs in the next 12 months. An additional 3,000 jobs will be created across the African continent in the next 36 months.
Wolfgang Neumann, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rezidor Hotel Group, said that the jobs announcement is a direct result of 32 new hotel openings across Africa. This will bring the total in Africa to 66.
“We see Africa as the continent of opportunity. Radisson Blu is the hotel brand with largest number of rooms under development in Africa” said Marc Descrozaille, Area Vice President, Africa & Indian Ocean. “Our vision is to make Radisson Blu the leading upper upscale hotel brand in Africa” he added.
South Africa remains a top priority for the Development Team. This has been underpinned by the opening of the Area Support office in Cape Town, which will assist South Africa and the entire region with the expansion programme.
“Africa is an opportunity and we have been very busy. In the last 24 months we have signed a new hotel deal in Africa every 37 days. And it’s not just about signing up hotels. We are delivering our pipeline, and in the last 24 months we have opened a hotel in Africa every 60 days. No one in Africa is opening hotels like we are, this month it’s Durban” added Carlson Rezidor’s Senior Vice President for Business Development Andrew McLachlan.
As one of the *most ethical companies worldwide, Carlson Rezidor has an industry-leading Responsible Business programme. A third of the workforce in the Park Inn by Radisson Newlands, Cape Town, are deaf or hard of hearing. The Group is looking at expanding the model further.
Other initiatives include Group-wide energy and water saving initiatives and area-specific offers such as the Youth Career Initiative in Africa, opening up training and job opportunities to underprivileged young talent as well as African in Leadership, developing talent from within our hotels.
* According to the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practice.
For further information please contact;
Marie-Laure, Senior Area Marketing Manager,Opening Support: Africa & Indian Ocean
The Rezidor Hotel Group, + 27 21 431 2900, Marie-Laure.Blaise@carlsonrezidor.com
