Business
Africa’s Hospitality Sector set to Soar – Analysts
Hospitality is a key economic driver, employment creator, & focal property type in regions throughout South & Sub-Saharan Africa
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 6, 2022/APO Group/ —
As the South African and broader African hospitality market continues to recover post-Covid-19; investment and development activity is set to ramp up as the sector evolves post its biggest ever crisis, comments notes industry expert Wayne Troughton, the CEO of HTI Consulting.
“There are various themes and trends that are hot right now, especially as the industry rebounds and leading players reposition themselves from a product, planning, funding and development pipeline perspective”, he says.
Some of the most notable trends for him is how the operational and investment landscape has shifted post the pandemic; how markets and products are adapting to these changes and what the recovery and forward bookings are looking like for the upcoming season, adds Troughton.
“One of the key questions we hope to answer is what the recovery and forward bookings are looking like currently and for the upcoming season. HTI Consulting are conducting research with tour operators, travel agents and hotel operators, the results of these surveys will be presented at the Hospitality Forum and will be discussed in a panel discussion with key influencers and champions in the sector.”
“As Covid-19 has changed the way we think and to a certain degree how we work and travel, it is important to understand what new products have emerged and how existing brands have adapted to these changes especially moving forward,” he says.
Adding that Covid has also put significant pressure on cash flows that has resulted in the restructuring of debt and equity structures, and may also result in longer-term changes to how projects are evaluated and financed in the future.
Troughton’s comments come ahead of the inaugural API Hospitality Forum on 22 September in Jo’burg (https://bit.ly/3er748T), which will provide insight into this fast-moving and exciting sector for over 150 attendees by leading industry experts, global hotel brands, funds, hotel owners and others from across the value chain.
The API Hospitality Forum is a much-needed and credible platform for South African and African hospitality leaders to gather and network with the wider real estate community
Created in partnership with Africa’s leading property investment and development summit, the 400-person API Summit (21 & 22 September) and sponsored by Radisson Hotel Group & HTI Consulting, the API Hospitality Forum is a much-needed and credible platform for South African and African hospitality leaders to gather and network with the wider real estate community says, Troughton.
“Over the last few years, a large proportion of investors in hospitality have migrated from other real estate asset classes making it even more important to create this linkage between the broader real estate community and the hospitality sector. Partnering with the API Summit also makes it more affordable enabling the summit to attract a broader and larger audience who may have found other international hospitality conferences inaccessible in the past.”
Troughton’s views are reflected by Radisson Hotel Group’s Senior Development Director, Sub-Saharan Africa Daniel Trappler.
“The API Hospitality Forum will bring together industry players, stakeholders, and leaders to provide a renewed focus on the South African and broader African hospitality market. There is no better time to gain insight into these markets’ recovery, investment activity, and trends. It is an excellent opportunity for everyone to reconnect, network, and participate in this inaugural hospitality forum opportunity.
For Trappler, the hospitality forum can play a strategic role in its efforts to continue growing in what has been a record-setting year across the continent.
“The trend for Radisson Hotel Group in Africa in 2022 has been a focus on hotel openings & the group has achieved a record year in this regard. The post-pandemic hospitality market recovery remains something to be understood (especially considering the impact of inflation globally, particularly relevant here in the construction industry) and something to take advantage of, where possible. As Africa’s largest organically grown international hotel brand, RHG has both the experience & the flexibility to achieve both,” he says.
With an enviable pipeline across the African continent, Trappler also stresses the major role that hospitality plays as a lever of economic growth and also by providing meaningful and sustainable job creation.
“Hospitality is a key economic driver, employment creator, & focal property type in regions throughout South & Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, our hotel development pipeline in the Sub-Saharan region has an all-encompassing focus, including hotels within mixed-use schemes, serviced apartments, and appropriately located standalone products – ensuring that our developments are a response to market needs as we continue to cement our position as the most diverse hotel management company across Africa in terms of the number of countries in which we operate.”
For the API Summit host, Murray Anderson-Ogle, the addition of the API Hospitality Forum to its industry-leading gathering is a continuation of its strategy to drive development across the real estate sector in Africa, as he ends.
“The API Summit is recognized as the industry’s biggest annual industry gathering and in 2022, we are pleased to welcome over 400 attendees to this year’s event. The addition of the API Hospitality Forum to our programme is part of our strategy to create experiences that provide meaningful benefits to our community of leading African and South African real estate players, as there is increasing interest and exposure to the sector by our community.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Summit.
Events
As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world
The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation
Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.
Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.
The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.
“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.
“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”
The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.
Key challenges driving the debate
Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:
This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy
Global Realignment & New Partnerships
How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.
Financing Africa’s Future
The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.
Strategic Value Chains
Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.
Digital Transformation & Technology
Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.
The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.
Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
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