Kempinski set to open more hotels in Africa

Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels, on Thursday announced plans to expand its portfolio of luxury hotels across Africa. Kempinski Hotels CEO Reto Wittwer told journalists in Nairobi that the global brand which has two new properties opened in Kenya in 2013, will add five more hotels to its African portfolio in the next year. "We will continue our development strategy throughout the continent over the next few years, partnering with key players in Africa to secure the best locations for our luxury properties," he said. "There is a worldwide fascination with this region and we believe in the strength of places like Kenya as a destination," Wittwer said. The company expects to open Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana in 2014, and the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski in Cairo, Egypt, which is set to open early in the year, as well as a newly signed 450 key hotel in the future capital of Equatorial Guinea, Oyala. Wittwer said African hospitality traditions lay a great foundation for the firm's global expansion in Africa, and around the globe. Additional plans are moving forward to open hotels in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of the year. Sub-Saharan African countries are currently a prized destination for international hotel brands and the trend will continue thanks to a friendly investment climate and competitiveness. A number of multinational investors have increased their investment in the hotel industry by setting up several operations in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya in particular. Wittwer said the hotel chain's distinct brand of European luxury and operational know-how makes it a key player in all the markets they operate in. "We expect that our new property here in Nairobi will be no different." Wittwer said after the company's success expanding into the Middle East and China over the past 20 years, Kempinski expects its growing portfolio in key destinations across the African continent to become a major source of revenue for the company, as well as provide new sources for talent and talent development across the company. Kempinski currently operates hotels in Egypt, Djibouti, Tchad, Seychelles, and Kenya. With five hotels set to open in Africa in the next year, Kempinski expects to hire more than 1,500 people in the next 12 months, nearly doubling its current workforce on the continent, and will draw heavily on local talent in each destination. "Finding new talent, which will push us further in the future, continues to be our utmost priority. We are looking for candidates who are interested in different cultures, speak various languages, share our passion for hospitality, and are looking for a bit of an adventure abroad," Wittwer said. "In addition to our needs in Africa in the next twelve months, our global expansion plans for the next five years will require an additional 12,000 new members of staff, and it is essential to attract and retain talented people who are dedicated to offering our guests the outstanding service that Kempinski is known for." Kempinski Hotels currently operates 82 hotels in 31 countries and has 37 more hotels under development worldwide.