The South African hospitality industry seems to be picking itself up. Overall spending on rooms in all categories rose 14% in 2013 to R17,3-billion, attesting to an increase in stay unit nights and an 8,4% rise in the average room rate.
“While South Africa is still battling with a soft economy as a result of the worldwide financial meltdown which started in 2008, the figures from our hospitality industry show promise. It is looking far more robust,” said Nicolette Kruger, country manager at NFS Technology, a software development company which focuses on the video conferencing and hospitality markets in South Africa.
Another good performer was Nigeria – now the largest economy in SA. The hotel market in Nigeria grew 9% in 2013 and by a cumulative 59% over the past four years. Growth has been pushed by a large increase in available rooms and a rapidly growing economy.
According to statistics from PwC, hotel room revenue in Mauritius decreased by 8,7% in 2013 and is projected to grow at 4,6% compounded annually to 2018.
Kenya’s hotel market fell during the past two years, falling 6,6% in 2012 and by a further 2,6% in 2013.