InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc to develop Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa. The 210-key hotel represents the entry of IHG into Ethiopia and adds to the company’s growing presence in Africa.

Catering to the business traveller, Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa will also offer a range of meeting facilities including a boardroom, seven large meeting rooms as well as ballroom for larger events. A business centre is also available for guests who require access to business facilities on the go.Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said: “Addis Ababa is evolving at pace, with infrastructure such as the Bole International Airport now serving almost 20 million passengers a year. We’re always on the lookout for the right partner to grow our brands in the right location. Now we’re bringing Crowne Plaza to a new country with Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc. Crowne Plaza Addis Ababa is a strong addition to the brand and with this being our first hotel in Ethiopia we will now have a presence in 13 countries across Africa.”

Rezene Ayalew, MD of Tsemex Hotels and Business Plc, said: “We own a number of real estate developments but with this being our first venture into hospitality, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner to embark on this project with. Addis Ababa has great potential for tourism but is currently under-supplied in catering to business travellers and meetings and events. The Crowne Plaza brand comes highly recommended with a unique positioning for the business market and we believe this is the right brand to bring into our vibrant city.”
