The figures represent a 1.5 per cent decrease on the 2018 pipeline, but still more than 12 per cent ahead of 2017. And data for deals which have been realised show almost 100 hotels opened in Africa in 2017/18 with a total of 16,000 rooms.
The annual African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline survey had a record 43 international and regional hotel contributors covering 54 countries in north and sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian Ocean islands.
W Hospitality’s managing director, Trevor J Ward, said: “The growth of the chains’ presence in Africa is a positive story. This year’s slight decrease is largely due to them cleaning their pipeline, deleting deals that they believe are not going to happen.
“So, while the 2019 total is slightly down, overall there has been growth of 51 per cent in total pipeline rooms since 2015, and in that time, North Africa has grown by 58 per cent and sub-Saharan Africa by 47 per cent.”
Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain, has the biggest pipeline in Africa, 42 per cent more hotels and 25 per cent more rooms than second-placed Accor. But in absolute terms, Accor beat the pack in 2018, with a net increase of 3,400 rooms in 15 hotels. Hilton and Marriott signed around 2,000 and 3,600 rooms respectively, but saw a net reduction in their pipelines, due to openings and cleaning.
Ward said: “There are almost 200 hotels due to open this year and next. We estimate, conservatively, that they will create around 30,000 direct jobs when they open, with some commentators estimating that each wage earner supports five other family members. And indirect and induced employment could total another 150,000 people.”
Further analysis will be revealed and discussed at the upcoming Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which takes place in Addis Ababa, from September 23 to 25 this year.