Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) has signed franchise agreements to rebrand three properties in Tanzania and Kenya to join the IHG portfolio of brands making a turnabout on its plan to exit the Kenyan market
The move sees IHG Hotels & Resorts swiftly expand its presence across Africa, as the continent’s profile continues to grow.
The group signed franchise agreements to rebrand three top properties namely Holiday Inn Nairobi, Two Rivers Mall and The Fairview Nairobi, coupled with Crowne Plaza Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, at a time that the regional hospitality industry is experiencing a resurgence. The move comes just two years after the hotel chain announced its exit from Kenya in 2020, citing financial struggles at its Nairobi facility.
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Besides the InterContinental, several top hotels, including Laico Regency, stopped operations owing to the coronavirus economic fallout. The move sees IHG Hotels & Resorts swiftly expand its presence across Africa, as the continent’s profile continues to grow.
“Africa’s hospitality and tourism industry has weathered the disruption of the past two years, with a rising number of inbound travellers, highlighting how much potential the region has,” said Haitham Mattar, the Managing Director for India, Middle East & Africa at IHG.
“Our expansion across Kenya and Tanzania is testament to how IHG Hotels & Resorts is encouraging this potential and meeting the returning demand quickly. We are delighted to have these properties join the IHG family and are excited to offer our guest the exceptional hospitality that we are known for.”
He further added: “Ownership that includes Actis and Westmont Hospitality is an important partnership to IHG We are pleased to grow together in the region and to bring exceptional properties and hospitality to guests visiting these two important gateway cities.”
A representative on behalf of the ownership said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with IHG and expand our portfolio together into new markets and different brands. Africa has tremendous MICE, business and leisure growth potential. Franchising with IHG at a time when travelers are increasingly purchasing branded offers on the continent also makes sense. These three hotels that are joining the IHG platform are very well located and will offer guests a great place to stay. We expect all three properties to benefit from the strength and scale of IHG’s global systems, technology and strong loyalty programme”