Hotel le Vendome in Cape Town is now officially the Radisson Blu le Vendome in a highly anticipated launch of the fifth Carlson Rezidor hotel operating in Cape Town or under development there, according to a report on fin24.
“South Africa is one of the few markets in Africa where we see real opportunity to convert existing hotels which are either independent or operated by competitor brands to either a Radisson Blu or Park Inn by Radisson,” said Andrew McLachlan, Carlson Rezidor’s vice president of business development for Africa and Indian Ocean islands.
More than 200 hotels are in the planning stages across Africa, according to Lagos-based consultancy, W Hospitality Group. Carlson Rezidor reports 12 hotels in development on the continent, adding to the 49 it already owned.
Other major hotel owners also have plans for hotels in Africa, many in more under-served areas than Cape Town. Hilton Worldwide and Protea Hospitality Group are just two of the major companies with big plans to establish a dozen or more properties each all over Africa, from Egypt and Nigeria to Ghana and Uganda.
“Africa currently has far more base development potential than just about anywhere else in the world,” said Protea CEO Arthur Gillis.
These hotels – particularly in the farther-flung regions apart from major cities – must be self-sustaining to overcome infrastructure challenges in their areas. They must provide what high-paying travelers demand – amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, and basics such as clean water.
All told, some 40,000 new hotel rooms are in the works throughout Africa. The just-launched Radisson Blu le Vendome will have 143 rooms, and should be open within six months, according to fin24.