The Rezidor Hotel Group has unveiled plans to open its first property in Rwanda, a sign the country has come a long way since the devastating genocide of 1994.
Rwanda is set to become the 62nd country in Rezidor’s portfolio when the up-market Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali, opens in 2012.
Rezidor said progress made in Rwanda in recent years, such as its commitment to a free market, had made it attractive to international investment and tourism.
Kurt Ritter, Rezidor’s president and CEO, said: “This signing symbolizes the new optimism investors have in Rwanda, and further underlines our strong commitment to Africa – this emerging and promising continent is one of our key areas for future business development.”
The 292-room Kigali hotel will form part of a larger mixed-use development, sitting alongside boutique retail shops, six restaurants, a pool and a 32,000sqm convention centre with space for around 2,600 delegates.
Rezidor also announced plans to open the Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Asia in Q4 2011, in a country seen by many as the bridge between Europe and the Middle East.
The 194-room new build, to feature ten function rooms and free internet, will be Rezidor’s third Radisson in Istanbul and its fourth in Turkey. The other properties include the Radisson Blu hotel, Ankara and the Radisson Blu resort in Cesme.
For more information visit radisson.com.
Report by Andrew Gough
