Marriott International has agreed a deal to buy the brands and management business of South African hotel group Protea Hospitality Group.
The planned transaction would almost double Marriott’s portfolio in Africa to more than 23,000 rooms. Protea currently operates or franchises 116 hotels with a total of 10,184 rooms in South Africa and six other African countries (Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia).
Protea has 104 hotels under its own name plus two branded as Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, and another 10 African Pride properties.
Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, said: “Africa has significant untapped potential for travel and tourism, both as a destination and source of new global travellers.
“With the Protea Hotels acquisition, our expanded footprint should allow us to become the first choice of Africa’s rapidly growing population of young, sophisticated travelers, and drive loyalty to our Marriott Rewards programme both within Africa and globally.”
Marriott has signed a letter of intent with Cape Town-based Protea but terms of the deal have not been revealed. It is expected to be completed within the first three months of 2014.
Arthur Gillis, CEO of Protea Hospitality Group, added: “Protea Hotels has grown organically to become the largest and leading hotel group in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Aligning with a global giant such as Marriott ensures we can realise the group’s full potential for all of our stakeholders.”
proteahotels.com