IHG Signs Agreement with Aleph Hospitality to Add 10 Hotels Across Africa

Main Photo: The Nairobi Airport Hotel, Kenya managed by Aleph.

Date: September 2019

Location: Across Africa…Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria and Ghana.

Names: Six IHG brands including Crowne Plaza, voco, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites.

No. of Keys: TBA

Buyer: InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Aleph Hospitality to develop ten franchise hotels across IHG’s portfolio of brands in midscale and upscale segments.

Aleph has nine hotels in its portfolio and has earmarked a pipeline of 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2025. The hotels include brands such as Best Western, Marriott and privately owned hotels.

The agreement was signed at Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The addition of new hotels, as a part of the agreement, will solidify IHG’s position as one of the leading hospitality players in the MEA (Middle East & Africa) region and will strengthen IHG’s portfolio in the continent, across six of their brands.

The Dubai-based company manages hotels directly for owners and leverages its in-depth market knowledge and extensive experience of working with the world’s largest hotel companies to generate superior returns for hotel owners.

Speaking on the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with Aleph Hospitality, which will add a significant number of rooms across our portfolio of brands in the African continent. Key markets across Africa continue to see solid growth in tourism key performance indicators and we remain optimistic of the long-term potential for the hospitality sector. The increasing number of international guests will drive a surge in demand for world-class accommodation and these new properties will cater to the needs of travellers looking for high-quality hospitality experiences.”

Bani Haddad, Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality added, “This signing presents us with opportunities to further enhance and diversify our portfolio in Africa, and we are excited to partner with a globally renowned company such IHG to grow further in the region. With a strong distribution system, preferred brands and a top loyalty programme, IHG is known to deliver commercial success in collaborations with its owners and partners, and we look forward to successfully working together to open these hotels and offer exceptional experiences to suit a variety of travellers coming to this region.”

IHG currently operates 29 hotels across six brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites in Africa.

THPT Comment: Good signs of co-operation between the two companies, IHG and Aleph Hospitality.

First Seen: Press release from AHIF (Africa Hotel Investment Forum, just held in Addis Adaba).

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