The number of new hotel rooms expected to built this year in Africa is up 30 percent from last year, according to a survey conducted by the W Hospitality Group.
The W Hospitality Group Hotel Chain Development Pipline survey found that 64,000 new hotel rooms in 365 hotels are on the way. Growth in the hotel construction sector is led by sub-Saharan Africa. Angola also posted a strong development pipeline, moving into second place on the survey's list of countries.
Industry officials said that although growth is slowing in parts of Africa, growth rates still exceed those in most other countries throughout the world.
“Africa is still on the up,” Managing Director of Bench Events Matthew Weihs said. “For business, trade and capital investment, the continent remains an attractive proposition, leading to continuing demand for accommodation and other hospitality services.”
The survey is likely to be a topic of conversation among hospitality industry officials when they meet at the African Hotel Investment Forum in Lome June 21-22 and in Kigali Oct. 4-6.
“The evidence from our survey is clear -- investors remain confident about the future of the hospitality industry on the continent," W Hospitality Group Managing Director Trevor Ward said. "Even when pummeled daily by low commodity prices, exchange rate problems, political challenges and poor infrastructure, Africa remains resilient.”
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