HRG is forecasting that business travel to Africa is set to take off over the next few years.
The business travel giant said that the continent’s “wealth of natural resources” was increasing demand for corporate travel – especially to countries such Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya which HRG believes will challenge South Africa as the region’s number one business travel market.
Chris Schuitmaker, HRG’s manager for regional business and partner management for Africa, said: “After decades of sluggish progress, Africa is emerging as a focal point for international investment – growth in some countries is even outpacing the BRIC nations. “The rate of change across the region is phenomenal, and it’s incredible to think that Nigeria is predicted to overtake South Africa as the leading African economy within the next five to 10 years.”
But HRG has also warned that in some areas business travel demand was “outpacing the supply of suitable accommodation” leading to high prices – particularly in Nigeria where Lagos has the second highest hotel rates in the world for business travellers, according to HRG’s last hotel survey.
Schuitmaker added: “As business travel to Africa increases, no-one would deny the region still has some issues to contend with, in particular the lack of infrastructure and concerns over security, which can make it difficult and expensive to do business in Africa.
“These issues won’t be solved overnight, but things are definitely changing. Roads are being built, airports upgraded, hotels are springing up everywhere and internet and telecommunication connectivity is improving every day.”
Source : abtn.co.uk
