Hilton has announced a $50 million investment to support its growth initiative in Africa. The hotel group says it expects to add 100 properties to its Sub-Saharan portfolio over the next five years.
The funds are intended to support the expansion, which Hilton says will add 20,000 rooms in multiple African markets through the conversion of existing properties to the Hilton name. Hotels included in the plan include its flagship Hilton Hotels and Resorts brand, Doubletree by Hilton and the recently launched Curio Collection.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior VP of development for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hilton, says the investment enables the brand to “rapidly grow our portfolio and delivers returns for owners by increasing exposure of their business to more international, inter-regional and domestic travellers, and specifically to our 65 million-plus Hilton Honors members. We see huge potential in key cities and airports, as well as allowing us to develop our offering in resorts and safari lodges.”
Hotels that transition to the Hilton brand will offer guests access to the company’s technology platforms, such as online check-in and the ability to choose individual rooms when booking via the Hilton Honors app.
The Amber Hotel in Nairobi (pictured) is the first hotel to be included in the initiative. The property is currently undergoing a series of renovations and will join the Hilton brand by the end of the year and will operate as the Doubletree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham. In addition, the Ubumwe Grande Hotel in Rwanda will undergo some changes before rebranding as the Doubletree by Hilton Kigali City Centre in 2018.
hilton.com