Hospitality and Tourism Experts to Gather in Nigeria for the Africa Hotel & Leisure Show

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Hospitality experts will gather for a major conference exploring the massive potential of sub-Saharan Africa’s hotel and leisure sector in Lagos next summer.

The Africa Hotel & Leisure Show – to be held on Thursday 2nd July 2015 – comes at a time of burgeoning growth in hotel development in the region, and Nigeria in particular.

Recent years have seen an influx of international hotel chains in addition to heavy investment by local developers. Between 2010 and 2014, across the region the number of hotel development deals signed grew by more than 84%. In Nigeria, which has Africa’s largest hotel pipeline, 49 new developments are scheduled to open by 2017.

Driven by economic growth and rising demand from business and leisure travellers for high-quality accommodation, the sector will continue to generate opportunities for investors, developers, tour operators and service providers.

This international event, hosted in the Lagos Intercontinental Hotel, will survey the changing landscape of the hospitality market. Expert speakers will examine the challenges facing both entrants and established operators, share insights into emerging market trends, and explore the potential impact of regulation, policy developments and corporate strategies.

The Africa Hotel & Leisure Show is organised by Kempstone Media. “We see this as a landmark event bringing together the international tourism and hospitality industry, in Nigeria, to engage with regional stakeholders,” says Sylvia Powell, Managing Director. “Investors view Africa as the world’s most attractive hospitality market. The Africa Hotel & Leisure Show provides a rare opportunity for the key players to share their perspectives and forge partnerships at a time of unprecedented opportunity.”

The show’s expert line-up includes Nigeria’s Hon. Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who emphasises that “investment policies in Nigeria are very investor-friendly” and the growing importance of the sector to the national economy.

“Tourism is the only sector that can employ engineers, architects and all kinds of professional callings and competences because of the interrelationship between other sectors. It is a sector that is able to galvanise other sectors,” the Hon. Minister said.

Another keynote speaker, Trevor Ward, a specialist consultant in international hospitality, underlines the scale of the investment underway.

“Last year we tracked over 200 new branded African hotel deals with 40,000 rooms in the chains’ development pipelines,” Mr Ward, MD of W Hospitality Group said. “A conservative estimate of the total investment would be in the order of $8 billion to $10 billion! And that excludes investments being made into unbranded hotels, and the renovations being undertaken by many existing hotels.”

The one-day programme will also offer delegates ample opportunities for networking in a luxurious venue, offering spectacular views of the Lagos skyline.

For more information: www.africahotelandleisure.com

Contact Info:
Name: Sylvia Powell
Email: Send Email
Organization: Kempstone Media
Phone: +44 (0) 20 3397 9156
Website: http://www.kempstonemedia.com/

Release ID: 68588

CONTACT ISSUER
Name: Sylvia Powell
Email: Send Email
Organization: Kempstone Media
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