Property Express Holiday & Hospitality News 04 09 25

Headlines for Holiday and Hospitality News

Ghana Emerges as Key Player in West Africa’s Hotel Market

Accra Marriott Hotel recognized for its strategic excellence in hospitality management and brand standards.

Catalonia Hotels Makes Caribbean Debut with Montego Bay Acquisition

On Friday, August 29, 2025, the Accra Marriott Hotel marked a landmark evening by securing multiple honors at both the 5th National Governance and Business Awards and the Business Honours Awards.

The hotel was recognized for its strategic excellence in hospitality management and brand standards, with particular acclaim for its human resources leadership. Raphael Blabboe, Director of HR, earned the title of Outstanding HR Leader of the Year – Compliance, while the HR team received the Outstanding HR Team – Luxury award for fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence.

Simultaneously, the Business Honours Awards celebrated the hotel’s commercial achievements. Rebekah Robertson, Director of Sales and Marketing, was awarded the Innovative Leadership Award for her transformative contributions to luxury hospitality in West Africa, and the sales team was named Hotelier Sales Team of the Year for their impact on revenue and guest satisfaction.

These accolades underscore the hotel’s commitment to quality and innovation. Situated near Kotoka International Airport, the Accra Marriott Hotel continues to offer a premier experience with 205 refined rooms, three signature restaurants, and cutting-edge meeting spaces—solidifying its role as a nexus of business and leisure in Accra.

Arica’s hospitality sector is witnessing a significant upswing in hotel construction, with 577 projects comprising 104,444 rooms currently underway as of the first quarter of 2025.

Ghana ranks 10th in Africa’s hotel devt – Report. Allison Tibaldi Africa is experiencing a significant rise in hotel construction projects, with 577 projects comprising 104,444 rooms in progress by Q1 2025. The growth rate of these developments increased by 13.3% year over year, demonstrating robust activity in the hospitality industry. These trends showcase growing international confidence and demand in Africa's hospitality market, particularly in regions like North Africa and Western Africa.

Emerging players such as Aleph, Eurostars, Index, and CityBlue are also expanding their footprint, with a Radisson Individuals property currently being built. Ghana’s appeal continues to rise as it becomes a favoured hub for business and tourism.

Ghana is gearing up to host the inaugural Creatives Connect Afrika Forum & Festival, a continental event designed to unlock the potential of Africa’s creative economy, projected to be worth $1.4 billion.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Black Star Experience Secretariat in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and African Tourism Partners (ATP), will gather policymakers, industry leaders, and creatives from all 54 African countries.

Scheduled for November 25 to 28, 2025, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, the forum aims to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business growth across Africa’s creative sectors. Speaking at the launch, Mr Rex Omar, Coordinator of the Black Star Experience and Presidential Adviser at the Office of the President, highlighted that partnerships under AfCFTA would allow the film, music, and fashion industries to tap into a vast $1.4 billion market.

“This is not just an event. It is a call to action, a call to our youth to innovate, to our entrepreneurs to invest, and to our partners to collaborate in shaping industries that will define Africa’s future,” Mr Omar emphasised.

Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, a Spanish hotel chain, has acquired the Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, marking its entry into the Caribbean market. The acquisition was finalized on July 1, 2024, following a binding agreement with East Bay Management, led by Kevin Hendrickson, who had operated the property under the IHG brand since 2008. 

The resort, now rebranded as Hotel Catalonia Montego Bay, is undergoing significant upgrades, including the addition of 250 new rooms. 

Catalonia plans to enhance the property's offerings, aiming to attract a broader range of international guests and elevate the resort's status within Jamaica's competitive tourism sector .

This acquisition is seen as a positive development for Jamaica's tourism industry, signaling investor confidence and potentially encouraging further investments in the region .

Source : Hospitality & Holiday News -Joycelyn Marigold