Marriott International has become the largest hotel company in Africa, by completing its acquisition of the 116-hotel Protea Hospitality Group.
In the process, Marriott has doubled its presence in the Middle East and Africa to more than 160 hotels and 23,000 rooms. Marriott now operates or franchises more than 4,000 hotels in 79 countries.
The international hotel group announced its intention to acquire PHG in November 2013 (see story here).
Marriott’s new Protea portfolio consists of 10,148 rooms in seven African countries, including South Africa. The company now manages, franchises and leases hotels across the Protea Hotels brand (103 hotels), the boutique Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! brand (two hotels); and the African Pride Hotels collection (11 hotels). In addition to its 79 hotels in South Africa, Marriott’s Protea portfolio has 37 hotels in Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Marriott expects the Protea portfolio to be available for booking on Marriott.com or via Marriott International’s Global Reservations Centers toward the end of May, and the hotels will join the Marriott Rewards guest loyalty programme in the future. Until then, reservations can still be made at www.proteahotels.com.