IHG continues Africa growth with Ethiopia debut

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement with Tsemex Hotels and Business to develop the 210-key Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa, which will be the group’s first property in Ethiopia.

The Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa will be located near landmarks such as the African Union headquarters, African Union Convention Centre, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and, the United Nations Convention Centre.

The hotel will include an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, a bar, a health club and spa, and a swimming pool.

Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa will also feature a range of meeting facilities, including a boardroom, several large meeting rooms, and a ballroom for larger events.

Commenting on the new property, IHG chief operating officer India, Middle East and Africa Pascal Gauvin said: “Addis Ababa is evolving at pace, with infrastructure such as the Bole International Airport now serving almost 20 million passengers a year. We’re always on the lookout for the right partner to grow our brands in the right location.

"Now we’re bringing Crowne Plaza to a new country with Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc. Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa is a strong addition to the brand and with this being our first hotel in Ethiopia we will now have a presence in 13 countries across Africa."

Tsemex Hotels & Business managing director Rezene Ayalew added: “Addis Ababa has great potential for tourism but is currently under-supplied in catering to business travellers and meetings and events. The Crowne Plaza brand comes highly recommended with a unique positioning for the business market and we believe this is the right brand to bring into our vibrant city.”

IHG currently operates 29 hotels in Africa.