Carlson Rezidor strengthens African presence

16 Apr 2012

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has just entered its 68th and 69th territories with new properties respectively in the Republic of Guinea and Gabon following on from the opening of a property in Ethiopia in January this year.

Carlson Rezidor strengthens African presence

The Radisson Blu Hotel Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, the Radisson Blu Conakry in Guinea, and the Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Libreville, Gabon, are the latest additions added in the first quarter of this year to Carlson Rezidor's growing African portfolio.

"We are proud to arrive in the Republic of Guinea and Gabon, the 68th and 69th countries in which Rezidor is present, and we look forward to strengthening our presence in both regions," says Andrew McLachlan, Rezidor's vice president of business development for Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

The Rezidor Hotel Group and Wali Hotels & Resorts, have announced their close co-operation in the Gabonese hotel market. A respective agreement has been signed by Rezidor president and CEO Kurt Ritter and his Wali Hotels & Resorts counterpart, Brice Laccruche Alihanga, in Libreville on 15 March 2012.

Rezidor recently took over management of the Okoume Palace Hotel in Libreville. Rezidor is expected to operate the property as an unbranded hotel for an interim period while the Okoume Palace Hotel undergoes an extensive US$40 million renovation. In September 2013, the hotel will be dual-branded - offering guests a 330-room Radisson Blu hotel and a 140-room Park Inn by Radisson in a separate hotel tower. In addition, the complex will boast five restaurants and bars, extensive meeting facilities, a business class lounge, a crew lounge, a gym, and an outdoor swimming pool.

Further west, Radisson Blu Conakry - featuring 249 rooms - is scheduled to open in 2014. Guinea is rich in minerals and other natural resources, and its mining sector and refinery industry are the driving forces behind the country's economic growth. The port and capital city of Conakry is the country's trade hub and first stop for most international visitors.

Part of a mixed-use development with cliff-top views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Radisson Blu Conakry is situated next to the US embassy in an up-market business and residential precinct of the city, that attracts many international companies and government administration offices. A new football stadium which will host the African Cup of Nations in 2014, will be located only two kilometres from the site.

Future plans for the site include serviced apartments to be managed by the hotel, and a casino to be operated by a third party.