Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Chief Development Officer for MEA, shares the key drivers behind Africa’s 13% year-on-year hotel pipeline growth. Beyond investor appetite, rising middle-class travel, youthful demographics, visa reforms, and infrastructure upgrades are fueling demand across the continent.
Markets like Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco stand out for their strong domestic demand and government-backed tourism strategies. Hilton is not only expanding its footprint across 13 brands but also prioritising inclusive growth, job creation, and local partnerships. With over 100 new hotels in the pipeline, the company is set to play a leading role in shaping Africa’s evolving hospitality landscape. BusinessDay’s Chinwe Michael brings excerpts.
Africa’s hotel pipeline has grown 13% year-on-year. What are the deeper socioeconomic factors enabling this momentum, beyond just investor appetite?