TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Indian-based hospitality group plans luxury brand expansion in SSA

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Taj Hotels brand is revamping three bush lodges in South Africa and eyes Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania.

The Taj Hotels luxury brand, which is part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited, has announced an expansion strategy aimed at strengthening its footprint across sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Illustration: Taj Hotels

Illustration: Taj Hotels

This regional expansion is part of the group’s broader growth strategy, which has a target of 700 hotels globally by 2030. The intention is to reinforce its position as a global premier hospitality business.

 

The first step in the new SSA strategy is the acquisition of three lodges in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park. Phased openings are planned during 2026 and beyond.

 

“Here in sub-Saharan Africa, Taj Hotels has kept pace with the group’s growth through noteworthy acquisitions,” comments Mark Wernich, Cluster General Manager: Africa and Business Development Africa for the Taj brand.

 

He adds that Taj is evolving to offer travellers a broad scope of experiences, ranging from city stays to bush and beach experiences.

 

Next phase of the sub-Saharan Africa strategy

 

The next phase of the sub-Saharan Africa strategy is to establish a presence in Zambia, Botswana, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and the Serengeti in Tanzania.

 

“We aim to build a robust infrastructure across East Africa to support our sub-Saharan portfolio, allowing travellers to explore the region’s best destinations seamlessly,” notes Wernich.

 

The expansion follows Indian Hotels Company Limited’s recent recognition as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand for 2025 by Brand Finance – marking the fourth time the group has earned this accolade.

 

Enhancing Africa’s travel and tourism sector was a focus of the African Marketing Confederation’s 2025 annual conference held in Ghana recently. The AMC is collaborating with UN Tourism on its Brand Africa initiative to create a responsible, sustainable and attractive pan-African tourism brand.

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Keith Haynes
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.