Addis Ababa of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), one of the leading tourism and hotel investment conferences in Africa, will be held from 23-25 September, attracting hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers
Abebe Abebayehu, commissioner, Ethiopian Investment Commission, said, “We are glad to support this prestigious event. AHIF attracts the highest calibre group of business leaders in the hospitality industry in Africa. By taking part, we will be able to get a much deeper understanding of what investors need. That is particularly important to us in the context of the government’s focus on tourism as a strategic pillar of the economy. By encouraging more investment in hospitality projects, we will create productive employment for our young population and earn valuable hard currency.”
Neway Berhanu, managing director, Calibra Hospitality Group, said, “Calibra Hospitality Group's success in becoming the leading consulting company in Ethiopia has been greatly helped by being an active participant in the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, since 2011. Thanks to Bench Events, we are now well connected, having established very good relationships with all the major international hotel brands. That has enabled us to conclude close to 25 International transactions, bringing business to Ethiopia. I would encourage the business community and all stakeholders in the hospitality sector to attend.”
The promotion of tourism is another critical issue for many African countries. For Ethiopia, it is underlined by a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which states that Travel & Tourism represents 61 per cent of Ethiopia’s exports and it expects the industry to expand by a whopping 48.6 per cent.
A rapidly growing national airline, a new hub airport, relaxed visa regulations and the country being the political centre of Africa, by virtue of hosting the headquarters of the African Union, are drivers of these impressive numbers.
Matthew Weihs, managing director, Bench Events, concluded, “Ethiopia is a centre for political meetings in Africa and a fast-growing transport hub. That already makes it attractive to hotel investors. The government’s declared interest in prioritising tourism will further increase the attractiveness, along with its renewed enthusiasm for collaboration with the business community.”
