fbpx

Tourism Marketing

Radisson investment decision a boost for Africa’s tourism marketers

By our News Team | 2021

International hotel group’s decision to invest heavily in West and Central Africa should create confidence and help to lure visitors back.

In what must be good news for Africa’s tourism and hospitality industry marketers, who have been struggling with the impact of Covid-19 on their businesses, one of the world’s biggest hotel chains has given a vote of confidence to the continent.

The giant Radisson Hotel Group announced that it has identified West & Central Africa as key markets in its African development strategy. Its aim is to double its portfolio of properties in this market by 2025 and bring the total number of hotels to 25.

“We have identified six countries for growth in West and Central Africa, with a clear strategy to have scaled growth in the key African capital cities, financial hubs and resort destinations,” said Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development, Africa at Radisson.

“We have also identified eight pro-active cities in West and Central Africa in which we are focusing our efforts for scaled expansion. The focus destinations are Abuja, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, Yaoundé, Douala, and Kinshasa.”

Tourism marketing

Radisson

Catering for a variety of customer needs

He continued: “Our development strategy for West and Central Africa focuses on business hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and mixed-use developments. 

“What sets us apart is our owner-centric approach with dedicated teams and relevant brands with the lowest development cost and access to development solutions, plus our adaptive solutions to meet local needs from compact offering, midscale to luxury, serviced apartments, lean operational model and clustering efficiencies.”

According to tourism researcher and academic, Dr Tafadzwa Matiza, the African tourism sector has, as a result of Covid, shed an estimated $83-billion in GDP contribution (down by 49.2%) and lost up to 7.2-million industry jobs compared to 2019 levels.

To help get the sector back on track, he believes marketers must promote African destinations as attractive but socially responsible locations. They must share information such as measures put in place to protect tourists to help travellers make their decisions.

Most importantly, tourism product owners must innovate and adapt their tourism offerings to meet the demand for safe domestic tourism. This would kick-start the tourism sector and prepare it for international tourism, Matiza says.

View all articles »

PUBLICATIONS

Strategic Marketing for Africa Magazine

CONTACT INFORMATION

info@africanmarketingconfederation.org

Upcoming Events

AMC CONFERENCE

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.