Hospitality major Radisson Hotels has announced that it will set up 12 more hotels in South Africa to nearly double its presence in the country to 25 hotels by the year 2030.

In a move highlighting its confidence in the South African tourism market, Radisson Hotel Group has set a target of doubling its presence in the country by 2030.

In a press statement, the hotel group says that this ambitious expansion plan comes alongside recent upgrades to the company’s existing South African hotels, demonstrating its commitment to becoming a major player in the nation’s hospitality industry.

“We are prioritising, through either management or franchise models, conversions for quicker market entry and exploring strategic collaborations with existing management companies to increase our footprint. This presents the potential introduction of the Radisson Individuals brand to South Africa, an ideal first step for individual hotels with strong service scores who may be considering transitioning to one of our other successful core brands at a later stage,’’ says Daniel Trappler, Senior Director of Development, sub-Sahara Africa at Radisson Hotel Group.

“We are also seeking opportunities to expand our upper-upscale portfolio and enter the lifestyle luxury market in Cape Town with our Radisson Collection and art’otel brands, leveraging the city’s strong tourism performance and our successful existing portfolio,” Trappler adds.

Meanwhile, Radisson Hotel Group has also announced significant updates to its portfolio of operating hotels in South Africa, including the opening of Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit its first Safari hotel and 13th hotel in South Africa.

The hotel says that this property offers a luxurious safari experience in the heart of South Africa’s wildlife region, with premium amenities and exceptional service. Boasting majestic views of the Drakensberg mountains, the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit is surrounded by endless destination-immersing activities.

“Building on the success of our recently opened Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, we plan to expand into safari and leisure regions like the Kruger National Park and the world-renowned winelands region surrounding Cape Town. Additionally, we are targeting secondary cities displaying strong hotel demand generators such as Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Durban, and East London, following our successes in Port Elizabeth and Polokwane. In addition, we are also exploring entry into smaller tertiary cities and towns if it aligns with our expansion strategy,” says Trappler.

The statement adds that the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg, is undergoing a significant renovation, with 60 pc of the hotel’s rooms already completed, enhancing the overall guest experience.

The hotel says that this extensive refurbishment features upgraded wooden flooring, stone countertops, local artworks, carefully crafted furniture and technological upgrades like smart TVs and USB ports. This two-phase refurbishment project has already completed its first phase, with each floor and corridor renovated to showcase a new level of contemporary luxury.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town has announced its own refurbishment plans and phase one is set to be completed by September 2024, with public Atrium and bedroom renovations expected in July 2024.

In April, Radisson announced the rebranding of Park Inn Cape Town Foreshore to Radisson Hotel Cape Town Foreshore. This rebranding brings the renowned Radisson brand to South Africa’s ‘Mother City’. Following an eight-month renovation, Radisson Hotel Cape Town Foreshore’s 120 rooms now boast a fresh and modern decor that creates a relaxing environment for guests as well as magnificent views of the prominent Table Mountain and the city centre.

“These significant updates to our South African portfolio reaffirm our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences across the country. Our ongoing growth in the region underscores our position as a leading force in the South African hospitality industry. This is just the beginning of a series of exciting announcements for our South African portfolio and the unmatched experiences guests can expect from our hotels,” says Sandra Kneubuhler, Country Director of Sales and District Director, South Africa at Radisson Hotel Group.