Carlson Rezidor adds a new country to its growing portfolio in Africa by announcing its first property in Togo: the Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février in Lomé will feature 320 keys and is scheduled to open in Q4 2015. Carlson Rezidor currently operates and develops more than 50 hotels in 25 African countries.
“We are delighted to arrive in Togo and to partner with Kalyan Development Togo Sau. The emerging market of Africa is one of our most important growth areas, and we aim to establish Radisson Blu as the leading upper-upscale brand in the region; present in capital cities and financial hubs. The signing of the Radisson Blu Hotel du 2 Février further strengthens our network. It will also provide economic and social contributions by becoming a social anchor in the city and providing employment opportunities to its community”, said Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of Rezidor at a press conference in Lomé.
“We have been deeply honored by the Republic of Togo that entrusted us this project, a hotel of great historic importance to the citizens of Togo – it is a landmark and a true jewel. We are privileged to partner with Carlson Rezidor, one of the most prominent and fastest expanding hotel groups in Africa. The success of this project is an ethical commitment for Kalyan to the government, the Togolese people and our partners; a commitment we shall honor and consider as a starting point for the further extension of our group’s hospitality segment”, commented Ashok Gupta, CEO of Kalyan Hospitality Development Togo SAU, Founder and CEO of Kalyan Group.
The former “Hotel du 2 Février” is the tallest building in Lomé and the tallest hotel in West Africa (102m, 36 floors). This highly visible landmark building enjoys a prime location in the heart of the city on place de l’Indépendance, just 7km away from the international airport. The hotel is currently undergoing a full renovation.
The 5-star Radisson Blu will offer 320 rooms and apartments, five food & drink outlets, meeting space of 3,600m2 including two auditoriums, an outdoor swimming pool and terrace, a business center, a business class lounge, a 375m2 gym & spa area, tennis courts and a casino.
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is located in West Africa and borders Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso. It has an estimated population of 6.8 million people and is one of the smallest countries in Africa. Togo is also one of 16 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) whose development fund is headquartered in Lomé. Furthermore, Togo is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), which groups seven West African countries using the CFA franc.
Carlson Rezidor opened its first hotel in Africa in 2000, the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Cape Town (South Africa). Since then, the group has built up an impressive network in Africa, and has a Regional Office in South Africa. Recent flagship openings of the group include the Radisson Blu in Dakar, Senegal; the Radisson Blu in Lagos, Nigeria; the Radisson Blu in Maputo, Mozambique; the Radisson Blu in Lusaka, Zambia; the Radisson Blu in Freetown, Sierra Leone; and the Radisson Blu in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Future openings in West Africa include a Radisson Blu in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; a Radisson Blu in N’djamena, Chad; and a Radisson Blu in Libreville, Gabon in addition to Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Nairobi (Kenya), Kigali (Rwanda) and Cape Town (South Africa).
“Africa offers excellent opportunities due to its huge natural resources and workforces, improved infrastructure, and a growing middle class. We want to grow further on the continent together with our existing and new partners through transparent and responsible long-term business relationships. We also want to be a leading employer in Africa. By creating new jobs for local talent and by contributing to the communities where we operate in, we can make a huge difference”, said Andrew McLachlan, Vice President Business Development at Rezidor.
