Radisson Hotel Group is targeting the Indian Ocean as a key market in its African development strategy, and plans to double its hotel and resort portfolio in cities along the Indian Ocean by 2022.
The Group currently has six hotels in operation and under development across the Indian Ocean region. The group’s African portfolio, meanwhile, consists of 99 hotels in operation and under development across 32 markets.
"As part of our aggressive five-year development plan, we aim to add a further 50 hotels to Africa," said Erwan Garnier, director, development, French- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, noting 65 percent of the company's future hotel supply will come from the newer brands, specifically Radisson and Radisson Collection, as well as its Blu and Red brands.
"Our development strategy in the Indian Ocean focuses on both leisure and business segments for resorts, hotels, serviced apartments and mixed-use developments across our five hotel brands," said Garnier. "Mauritius is a key market for the group’s expansion in the region. In addition, we also have a proactive strategy for Seychelles, Madagascar and Reunion Island."
Target Destinations
Mauritius remains a key strategic market for Radisson Hotel Group. The island currently has two Radisson Blu hotels in operation and one Park Inn by Radisson under development, and the company plans to bring all brands to the destination.
"Building on our current portfolio in the East Coast, we are aiming to establish a presence on the West Coast, in areas such as Le Morne, Flic-en-Flac and Grand Baie," said Garnier. "In addition, we are targeting the business segments of the islands business hubs, particularly Port Louis and Ebène.”
For the Seychelles, Garnier said the company would bring its Radisson Collection and Radisson Blu brands to the islands of Mahé and Praslin.
Radisson Hotel Group recently entered its second Indian Ocean territory, Madagascar, with the signing of a portfolio deal of three hotels and a total of 254 rooms. The agreement consists of two hotel conversions and one hotel under construction in the capital city of Antananarivo, with all three hotels scheduled to open in 2020. The deal, Elie Younes, EVP/chief development officer of Radisson Hotel Group, said at the time, reflects the company's commitment to growth in the continent. "Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and has a critical role to play for the region," he said.
The Radisson Blu Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront and the Radisson Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront will be in the city's main business and commercial district, less than 30 minutes from Antananarivo International Airport. The Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Center is in the city center, close to bars and restaurants as well as key business zones.
Garnier expects the company's next step for Madagascar growth would be to bring the Radisson Blu and Radisson brands to the island of Nosy Be.
And then there's Reunion Island, where Radisson expects to bring its Blu and Park Inn brands to the capital city of Saint-Denis.
Earlier this year, Radisson Hotel Group added Ramsay Rankoussi as VP/development, Middle East, Turkey and French-speaking Africa, to support and drive the growth of the company's Africa portfolio. Rankoussi, along with Garnier, is overseeing the development activities across French-speaking Africa, focusing on key capital and economic cities.