US-owned hotel group, Marriott International, has announced plans to expand its operations in Africa with the anticipated addition of over 30 hotels and more than 5 000 rooms by the end of 2024. The company is also expected to introduce its Delta Hotels by Marriott brand in the region.

“Marriott International’s expansion plans reinforce its commitment to Africa and highlight the growth of the travel and tourism sector across the continent,” said Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President – Development, Africa, Marriott International.

“We continue to see opportunities to expand in major gateway cities, commercial centres, and resort destinations across Africa, while catering for the region’s ever-changing and evolving markets through our diverse range of extraordinary brands.”

Marriott International’s select-service (rooms only) brands in the region – led by Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton – make up more than 50% of the company’s property additions in Africa through 2024.

Cheltout pointed out that Protea Hotels by Marriott remained the most recognisable hospitality brand in Africa, with over 60 hotels across nine countries. Protea Hotels by Marriott expects to further expand its footprint across the continent with 10 anticipated additions by the end of 2024.

Plans include the brand’s first properties in Kenya, Malawi and Angola, and further expansion in South Africa where it is expected to open five new hotels. Cheltout did not provide details on the specific location of these properties.

Four Points by Sheraton is set to open five new additions by the end of 2024. They include the brand’s entry into Uganda, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cape Verde. The brand also expects to open its second property in Nigeria, Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene.

Demand for premium brands

According to Cheltout, there are growth opportunities across Africa for Marriott’s premium and luxury brands. The company’s expansion plans for its premium brands across the continent include the anticipated launch of Delta Hotels in 2023.

The Delta Hotels brand will mark its debut in Africa with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay in Tanzania.

Plans for Tribute Portfolio, a growing global family of independent hotels drawn together by their passion for innovative design and vibrant social scenes, include the expected opening of laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort.

The hotel group is further slated to introduce the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand in Ethiopia with the anticipated opening of The Westin Addis Ababa. Additionally, Marriott International plans to grow its iconic collection of independent properties under the Autograph Collection Hotels brand with new properties expected in Tanzania and Algeria.

Marriott International also plans to expand its portfolio of luxury brands with five anticipated openings in Africa by the end of 2024. The company is expected to introduce The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands in Morocco with the anticipated openings of The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat Dar es Salaam and The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda.

JW Marriott is expected to enter Kenya with the openings of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi and JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, which will mark the company’s first property in the luxury safari space.

Marriott International's current portfolio in Africa encompasses nearly 130 properties and more than 23 000 rooms across 20 countries.