Starwood to expand its footprint by 50% in Africa and Indian Ocean region in next 5 years

Hotel News

	Starwood to expand its footprint by 50% in Africa and Indian Ocean region in next 5 years With the expansion of its luxury, upscale and mid-market brands, Starwood will grow its portfolio by over 50% in Africa and Indian Ocean region over the next five years. The hotel group has announced their aggressive expansion plans at the recently concluded Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, Starwood has a strong footprint with 34 operating hotels and a robust pipeline of 20 hotels under development. “The momentum of growth we are seeing in Africa today is unprecedented. It is a reiteration of the trust our owners have in us, the power of our distinct lifestyle brands and the strength of our global distribution and award-winning loyalty program,”said Michael Wale, President - Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood . “Africa is a market with huge potential. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanisation, the demand for travel and quality lodging will continue to grow and provide us with a significant opportunity to grow our brands and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent.”