LONDON, England and FRANKFURT, Germany – Worldhotels expands into Africa by joining forces with the Azalaï Hotels Group – the first African private hotel chain in West Africa.
As part of the agreement, six Azalaï Hotels in Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali and Guinea-Bissau have joined Worldhotels’ global network of almost 500 hotels worldwide, taking advantage of the group’s 360° solution, which offers everything from technology to branding.
Additional properties in Nouakchott, Abidjan and Dakar are anticipated to join Worldhotels’ portfolio when they open their doors in 2015 and 2016.
Worldhotels sees great potential in Sub-Saharan Africa – a region that is marked by substantial economic growth, which has translated into a rising tourism industry. Both business and leisure travel are accelerating and local hotel operators are increasingly looking for international partners to enhance their global exposure, without having hard standards imposed upon them. The partnership with the Azalaï Hotels Group marks a first and important step in Worldhotels’ strategic intention to expand into Africa, and the group is looking for further opportunities within the market.
Worldhotels’ distinctive range of business offerings, which are tailored to meet the needs of private hotel operators whilst allowing full operational freedom, was the reason why Mossadeck Bally, founder and CEO of Azalaï Hotels, selected the group as the preferred international partner for his hotels: “Besides offering us their classic affiliation model, Worldhotels also provided us with a technology-only solution for some of our hotels, which doesn’t require any dedicated sales or marketing support. For our pipeline projects we particularly trust in Worldhotels’ global exposure and 360° services to help us strengthen our position in the international market.”
“Azalaï Hotels have grown strongly in recent years and established an excellent reputation in West Africa under the inspired leadership of Mossadeck Bally. We believe that international recognition will certainly follow through our strategic partnership”, comments Geoff Andrew, Chief Operating Officer of Worldhotels. “Worldhotels sees immense potential in Sub-Saharan Africa and Azalaï Hotels will help us strengthen our brand in the region.”
Azalaï Hotels that have joined the Worldhotels portfolio are:
• Azalaï Hôtel Indépendance | Ouagadougou | Burkina Faso
• Azalaï Hôtel De La Plage | Cotonou | Benin
• Azalaï Grand Hôtel | Bamako | Mali
• Azalaï Hôtel Salam | Bamako | Mali
• Azalai Hôtel Dunia | Bamako | Mali
Source: eturbonews.com
