Radisson Hotel Group sustains expansion in MEA after record year

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

In 2023, Radisson Hotel Group demonstrated its steadfast prominence as a premier international hotel brand in the Middle East and Africa. The Group inked deals for 22 hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments, bolstering its regional presence with over 3,800 additional rooms. This strategic expansion aligns with its vision of securing a top-three position globally and becoming the preferred choice for owners, guests, and employees.

On a global scale, the Group achieved remarkable growth by adding over 30,000 keys to its portfolio, comprising 10 esteemed brands, through a combination of new openings and signings. This represents a nearly 50% increase since the inception of its transformation plan in 2018, marking a new milestone for the company.

Looking forward to 2024, Radisson Hotel Group anticipates a significant year with the launch of 14 new hotels across diverse locations in the Middle East and Africa. These forthcoming openings underscore the Group’s commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while meeting the rising demand for upscale accommodations in these regions.

The momentum of expansion remains strong in Africa, with the Group sealing eight hotel deals in 2023, adding over 1,600 rooms to its thriving African portfolio. This progress positions the Group well on track to achieve its goal of reaching 150 hotels in Africa within the next five years, surpassing its current count of 100 hotels.

Among the notable signings in Africa were the market entries into Gambia with Radisson Blu Beach Resort & Spa, Banjul, and Radisson Hotel Benin City in Nigeria. Alongside these, signings such as Radisson Collection Hotel & Conference Center, Abuja; Radisson Blu Hotel, Abuja CBD; and Radisson RED Lagos VI further solidified the Group’s dominance in Nigeria, expanding its portfolio to 12 hotels and over 1700 rooms.

Highlighting the Group’s priorities in Africa for 2024, Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Business Development for Africa and Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group, said, “We have an exciting year ahead with five hotel openings in Africa, reinforcing our market leader stance in our key countries such as Egypt, Morocco and South Africa but also maintaining the fastest growth across the continent in tangible openings. Building on the momentum of the Radisson Collection Resort, Marsa Alam Port Phoenice signing, introducing the Radisson Collection brand in the country with an exceptional resort, we will also open the first standalone serviced apartments in Egypt with Radisson Residences Cairo Heliopolis within the coming months.”

In Morocco, Radisson Hotel Group is poised to elevate its thriving portfolio with the highly awaited launch of Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier, marking the debut of the Radisson brand in the country, slated for the second quarter. This significant unveiling underscores the Group’s keen focus on the burgeoning potential of Morocco, a key priority in its expansion strategy. Meanwhile, in South Africa, Radisson Hotel Group is on track to expand its footprint with the upcoming opening of Radisson Hotel Middelburg, its 12th hotel in the country, later this year. This follows the successful inauguration of its inaugural safari hotel in Africa, the recently announced Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit.

“In addition to these key markets, we are proactively pursuing East Africa this year, with Kenya and Tanzania identified as market priorities. As resorts continue to play an important role in our global strategic growth plan, we will build on our successful resort expansion in Africa, which has included the recent openings of Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya in Livingstone and our debut in Reunion Island with the opening of Radisson Hotel Saint Denis” adds Ramsay Rankoussi.

Over the past three years, Radisson Hotel Group has emerged as the fastest-growing hotel group in Africa, witnessing the inauguration of 20 hotels across the continent. This remarkable achievement has not only set a new record for the Group in terms of pipeline realization but has also translated into an impressive 15 percent annual growth for its African portfolio.

With a strategic focus on the Middle East, the Group has opened over 1,000 keys in the past 12 months and is poised to unveil an additional 2,000 keys in 2024. Its commitment to the region remains steadfast, with a target of 150 operational or under-development properties across the Middle East by 2030.

In the final quarter of 2023, Radisson Hotel Group unveiled new properties across Oman, including Muscat Levatio Suites and Radisson Hotel Muscat Panorama, alongside the debut of the first Radisson Individuals in Saudi Arabia with Vivid Jeddah, A Radisson Individuals hotel. Additionally, agreements were inked for Park Inn by Radisson Resort Bimmah and Radisson Serviced Apartments Salalah.

In Jordan, the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall added 178 keys catering to travelers seeking convenience and luxury. The Group also proudly announced the signing of Radisson Hotel & Residences Erbil in Iraq, marking a significant development for the Group in this vibrant city. Pakistan remains a focal point for the Group, with four hotels and serviced apartments signed in the capital city of Islamabad, with the first opening anticipated in 2025.

Looking ahead, the Group is gearing up for further expansion in Makkah, with the highly anticipated debut of Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thaker West and Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher East in the first quarter, aimed at meeting the evolving needs of international and regional visitors. Additionally, Radisson Hotel Jeddah Tahlia Street is set for an early 2024 opening, alongside the introduction of the Park Inn by Radisson brand to Kuwait with Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments Kuwait.

Elie Milky, Vice President Business Development, Middle East, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Our ambitions remain strong as we continue our robust expansion efforts in the region, focusing particularly on resorts as well as serviced apartments. We continue to penetrate new markets as we have seen in Erbil and Amman while we strengthen our position with strategic owners in established cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Makkah and Muscat, to name a few. Our value proposition to our existing and new owners continues to improve with a comprehensive brand offering and a pragmatic conversions approach to drive openings.”

Furthermore, the Group garnered accolades in sustainability, receiving the Sustainable Business Award at the Global Travel Hall of Fame, affirming its commitment to responsible travel and tourism. It was also honored at A World for Travel with the Environmental Impact Award, acknowledging its contributions to the advancement of Hotel Sustainability Basics. Additionally, RadissonHotels.com, the Group’s flagship website and app, clinched five prestigious awards, notably for its innovative and industry-leading Immersive Content Project.

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