Lindsey Rayner appointed Managing Director of marketing agency Levergy
She brings extensive experience as a senior agency executive and has a particular interest in sports sponsorship and passion-led marketing
TOURISM
Hyatt hotel group wants to tap into potential of Kenya’s MICE sector
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Well-known international hotel chain debuts in Kenya with a 219-room property in the upmarket Nairobi Westlands neighbourhood.
The giant Hyatt hotel group has made its brand debut in Kenya with the official opening of its Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands property.
The Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands. Photo: Hyatt
The 219-room hotel is located in a prime spot for business and events in Nairobi Westlands, a residential and commercial neighbourhood known for its many amenities, upper-middle class residents and a vibrant nightlife.
According to a report published in Business Daily Africa, Hyatt is upbeat about growth in the Kenyan market, buoyed by strong demand from the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
The report quotes the hotel’s General Manager, Igor Jovovic, as saying: “We are particularly seeing demand from the corporate and MICE segment, which is usually the core business of city centre hotels.”
Milestone in Hyatt’s growth in Africa
Comments Stephen Ansell, Managing Director – Middle East and Africa at Hyatt: “We are thrilled to debut our first Hyatt-branded hotel in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in Hyatt’s growth in the African market – underscoring our commitment to expanding into sought-after destinations and catering to the diverse needs of modern travellers.”
With more than 2,000 square metres of available space, the property offers 10 distinct meeting spaces, facilities for grand banquets and large conferences, and a top-floor ballroom which is claimed to be one of the largest in East Africa.
According to ‘International Meetings Statistics Report 2023’, Kenya hosted 29 meetings during the year, ranking it 60th globally.
“This highlights Africa’s need to tap into this sector, which surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year, faster than previously predicted,” says the publication Southern & East African Tourism Update in a January 2025 article.
“Countries in East Africa are working towards establishing strong national convention bureaus to tap into this revenue and diversify their tourism products.”
The marketing currency that’s far more valuable than money
Why attention is the ultimate currency in a world of endless distractions – and how to make it work for your brand.
Gathering of Ethiopian marketers discusses Africa’s marketing trends
Africa is changing rapidly, so the continent’s marketers must work to shape trends and not merely react to them, Addis Ababa event hears.
PR company Edelman unveils new pan-African regional advisory service
New business offering to be steered by senior executives in four regions and will provide high-level support to clients.
Zimbabwe aims to seize emerging European coffee export opportunity
Rising demand in key European markets for specialty grade beans that are ethically sourced could boost Zim’s coffee industry.
How the metaverse is changing consumer engagement and blurring lines
Study examines emergence of virtual representations of individuals, which are blurring the lines between physical and digital identities.
Volkswagen Group Africa continues creative partnership with Ogilvy
Ogilvy presented a “unique partner model” during an 11-month pitch process involving 15-plus agencies and multiple rounds of presentations.
Poor cold chain logistics resulting in massive food wastage in Africa
Nigeria reportedly has less than 4% of its cold chain capacity requirement. Much of Africa faces a similar challenge.
Latest magazine discusses high-level insights for Africa’s marketers
The latest issue of Strategic Marketing for Africa, the magazine for deep-thinking African marketing professionals, is now available.
Skies of change: The effect of Marketing 5.0 in African aviation
As African commercial aviation expands, Marketing 5.0 has a vital role to play in enhancing operational efficiencies and customer service.
Want to make a sale? Pitch in public and give the customer more space
Researchers find that the location of sales interactions may be just as important as crafting a clever sales pitch.
