Travel/Tourism
Raddison Expands Portfolio With Five New Hotels
By Adedapo Adesanya
In the first quarter of 2022, Radisson Hotel Group increased its portfolio with five new hotels in line with its ambitious African growth and development plan.
In 2022, the Cape Town-based group aims to add more than a dozen hotels, reaching just over 100 hotels in operation and under development on the continent.
Last year, Radisson Hotel Group set a record with 14 hotel signings in countries such as Morocco, Djibouti, Ghana, and Zambia, adding over 2,500 rooms to its African portfolio.
The Group’s momentous growth is aligned with its 2025 objective to reach over 150 properties across Africa, up from almost 100 hotels today.
The five new hotel signings in Q1 2022 span the continent from Ethiopia and Senegal to Tunisia and Ghana and stretch across the Group’s brand portfolio from the fast-growing upscale Radisson brand to the Group’s newest conversion brand, Radisson Individuals.
Currently, under construction, the Radisson Hotel Addis Ababa Bole Airport is on track to open its doors before September 2023 and will be the first Radisson branded hotel in East Africa.
The facility is adjacent to the country’s new national stadium which is still under construction and close to the third largest airport hub in Africa, Bole International Airport.
In Senegal, the group will have the first Radisson resort in Africa and the second Radisson branded property when it opens its doors in 2024. Saly is the second most popular tourist destination in the country after Dakar, the country’s capital.
Opening in Q2 2022, Radisson Hotel Sfax, Tunisia will be the first and only internationally branded upscale hotel in the city.
The existing, independent hotel – La Maison Blanche Tunis will also undergo a full renovation prior to reopening its doors in January 2023. It joins the Group’s existing two hotels in operation and three under development in Tunisia, with a total of almost 1,000 rooms.
The group’s third property in Accra and the first of two Radisson Individuals hotels to open in Ghana is set for a launch this quarter and will consist of various rooms and suites, including a three-bedroom penthouse and a premium presidential suite, as well as serviced apartments offering a separate living room, balcony, and fully furnished kitchen.
Speaking on this, Mr Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer said, “Africa remains a key focus for us. We remain committed to unlocking its potential and to supporting its people with the many job creations that we contribute across the continent.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we maintained strong growth momentum with numerous key milestones as we continue cementing our position as one of the leading operators on the continent with the most diverse portfolio across over 30 African countries.
“In 2022, we aim to add a dozen hotels to our portfolio across the continent resulting in surpassing the 100 hotels in operation and under development mark and eventually aim to achieve 150 hotels by 2025.”
On his part, Mr Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group added, “Our ambition is to continue growing in markets in which we operate already and enter new markets with our core brands. Building on our strong portfolio of city hotels, we are focusing on resort destinations as well as expanding our footprint in new strategic markets.
“In addition to opening our first three hotels in Madagascar earlier this year, we will be opening hotels in South Sudan, Djibouti, Victoria Falls, and Ghana. Conversions will remain a priority and we will continue innovating our business approach with relevant and tailored solutions to adapt to changing market conditions.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
