MARRIOTT EXPANDS IN AFRICA

HOTEL group Marriott International said on Friday that it had signed three new deals across North and West Africa, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its presence on the continent. The new agreements – announced on the sidelines of the Forum de l’Investissement Hôtelier Africain in Marrakech, Morocco, aimed at driving investment into tourism in the region – highlight the company’s growth in Morocco and Ghana, while marking its debut in Liberia. “New and established markets across North and West Africa continue to present us with immense opportunities to further enhance and diversify our portfolio in the continent,” Marriott International chief development officer for Middle East & Africa Jerome Briet said. “The new deal signings further strengthen our robust development pipeline, which is a result of our longestablished presence in Africa and the trust owners have in Marriott International and our compelling portfolio of diverse brands.” Marriott International is on track to expand its footprint in Africa to 200 hotels by the end of 2023 and the North and West Africa regions play a pivotal role in its overall growth strategy for the continent. In North Africa, the company currently has 30 hotels and more than 10 000 rooms in its portfolio and with a robust pipeline in place expects to grow its portfolio by 60 percent by the end of 2023. In West Africa, Marriott expects to grow its current footprint by 75 percent.