Radisson Blu to add its third hotel in Ethiopia

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, adds another iconic Radisson Blu hotel in Ethiopia, in the city of Bishoftu. The newly constructed Radisson Blu will open in 2020. Carlson Rezidor is operating a Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa, since 2011 and plans to open its second Blu in the city within the next 18 months.

“Ethiopia is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies with a population of more than 100 million people. We are further cementing our position as one of the leading hotel groups in Africa and look forward to continuing our expansion on the continent, and delighted to add our third Radisson Blu hotel in Ethiopia,” said Andrew McLachlan, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Africa & Indian Ocean for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

“We are thankful to our partners for their trust in our brand and people – and look forward to our long-standing relationship,” added McLachlan.

Bishoftu is a popular MICE and leisure destination within Ethiopia. It is located 35km southeast of the country’s capital city, Addis Ababa. It is also within easy access of the country’s first international five-lane highway, leading from Addis Ababa to Djibouti. The hotel will be located on Lake Babogaya, which forms part of the region’s renowned five crater lakes.

“Radisson Blu Hotel, Bishoftu is a great addition to our Ethiopian portfolio as we expand outside of the capital city. Once open, the hotel will be the first internationally branded hotel with the largest meeting and events center in Ethiopia, outside of Addis Ababa,” added McLachlan.

“I believe and share the aspiration of the regional government of Oromia and other stakeholders that the hotel will contribute into making Bishoftu a tourist destination city,” commented Mr. Sami Getachew, General Manager of Adulita Conference and Spa Resort Hotel PLC, the owners of the property. “The hotel will also play a pivotal role in making Bishoftu another alternative to Addis Ababa for MICE related conferences and events in combination to the existing hotels and resorts in the city. I also believe that together with Rezidor’s extensive experience in the hospitality sector and their full support, we will successfully open the hotel by 2020.”

The 152-room Radisson Blu hotel will have a restaurant and terrace, a specialty restaurant and a pool bar on the terrace, offering picturesque lake views. The 1,045 sqm meeting and events spaces will include a state-of-the-art ballroom and six contemporary meeting rooms. Radisson Blu Hotel, Bishoftu will also offer a luxurious spa and well-equipped gym.

About Radisson Blu^®
Radisson Blu^® is one of the world’s leading hotel brands with 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories. Radisson Blu’s vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality is characterized by a unique Yes I Can!^SM service philosophy, and all of its first class hotels offer a range of signature features that are empathetic to the challenges of modern travel, including the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Distinguished the world over as the brand with Hotels Designed to Say YES!^SM, Radisson Blu offers a vivid visual celebration of leading-edge style where the delight is in the detail. Radisson Blu hotels are located in prime locations in major cities, airport gateways and leisure destinations across the world.

Radisson Blu is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson^®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza^®, Park Inn^® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM. For reservations and more information visit, www.radissonblu.com. Connect with Radisson Blu on social media: @RadissonBlu on Twitter and Instagram andFacebook.com/RadissonBlu.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The group features a portfolio of 480 hotels with over 106,000 rooms in operation or under development in 80+ countries.

Rezidor operates the core brands Radisson Blu^® and Park Inn^® by Radisson in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Club Carlson^SM loyalty program for frequent hotel guests. In early 2014 and together with Carlson, Rezidor launched the new brands Radisson RED (lifestyle select) and Quorvus Collection (luxury). In 2016, Rezidor acquired 49% of prizeotel. Rezidor has an industry-leading Responsible Business Program and was named one the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the US think-tank Ethisphere.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden. HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd., a division of HNA Group Co., Ltd.—a Fortune Global 500 company with operations across aviation, tourism, hospitality, finance and online services among other sectors—became the majority shareholder in December 2016.

The Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ 43,700 people in EMEA and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information, visit www.rezidor.com
Twitter @carlsonrezidor
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