Earlier this month, HTI Consulting held its first 'Virtual Hotel Club' - an informal Pan-African platform for hospitality industry stakeholders - held earlier in July, which explored the way forward during this unprecedented time of crisis...

A survey conducted by HTI Consulting on hotel owners and operators within the African continent, covered 14 regional and international operators active in the African hotel space (41 hotel brands and 219 projects currently under development) – these included the likes of Hilton Worldwide, Marriot International, Radisson Hotel Group and Accor Hotels, amongst others.

According to Troughton, while the African hospitality industry is facing extraordinary and unprecedented challenges and obstacles in light of the global pandemic, he notes that development sentiment remains optimistic amongst the majority (57%) of hotel owners as reported by operators on the continent.

"Despite closures and significant performance declines, long-term investment fundamentals for the sub-Saharan region remain positive despite significant short to mid-term challenges currently impacting the sector," he says.

"Of a total 219 hotel projects currently In Sub Saharan African pipeline a large proportion (68%) of these projects are proceeding as planned, with only 18% currently on hold for a limited period, and 13% on hold indefinitely," he states.

"Concerns amongst hotel owners are, of course, still apparent and, for several, a ‘wait and see’ approach relates to factors such as uncertainty around travel ban lifts in various markets, how to restore guest confidence and the impact of Covid-19 on hotel valuations. However, the optimism displayed by many owners generally relates to an understanding of the sector and adoption of a longer-term outlook," he explains.

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