Africa hospitality sector ready to take off
As the South African and broader African hospitality market continues to recover post-Covid-19, investment and development activity is set to ramp up as the sector evolves past its biggest ever crisis, noted industry expert Wayne Troughton, the CEO of HTI Consulting.
“There are various themes and trends that are hot right now, especially as the industry rebounds and leading players reposition themselves from a product, planning, funding, and development pipeline perspective,” he says.
Some of the most notable trends for him is how the operational and investment landscape has shifted post the pandemic; how markets and products are adapting to these changes and what the recovery and forward bookings are looking like for the upcoming season, adds Troughton.
“One of the key questions we hope to answer is what the recovery and
forward bookings are looking like currently and for the upcoming season.
HTI Consulting is conducting research with tour operators, travel
agents, and hotel operators; the results of these surveys will be
presented at the Hospitality Forum and will be discussed in a panel
discussion with key influencers and champions in the sector.”
Adding that Covid has also put significant pressure on cash flows that has resulted in the restructuring of debt and equity structures and may also result in longer-term changes to how projects are evaluated and financed in the future.
Troughton’s comments come ahead of the inaugural API Hospitality Forum on 22 September in Jo’burg, which will provide insight into this fast-moving and exciting sector for over 150 attendees by leading industry experts, global hotel brands, funds, hotel owners and others from across the value chain.
Created in partnership with Africa’s leading property investment and development summit, the 400-person API Summit (21 & 22 September) and sponsored by Radisson Hotel Group and HTI Consulting, the API Hospitality Forum is a much-needed and credible platform for South African and African hospitality leaders to gather and network with the wider real estate community says, Troughton.
