September 2015: The Protea Hotels brand continues to fly high in the African hospitality industry, with Protea Hotels and its parent company, Marriott International, being recognised as the Best International Hotel Group at this week’s Business Traveller Africa Awards. Previously listed in the Best Hotels Group Category, Protea Hotels is now a proud member of the global leading hotel group, Marriott International, since its acquisition by Marriott last year, so moving into the international grouping for the Awards.
“This recognition is really important for us,” explains Mark Satterfield, Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International, Middle East & Africa and Business Leader for Protea Hotels in South Africa. “Being identified as the top international hospitality group in South Africa by the business travel trade sector reinforces our positioning as the leading hotel group, and confirms that the brand resonates with our customers and fellow industry stakeholders.”
Launched in 2012 in association with Business Traveller Africa magazine, the awards ceremony is an event for the South African business travel trade, covering all aspects of business travel, including hotels.
According to Satterfield, “Having built up a brand with strong equity in the local hospitality industry, Protea Hotels has been able to establish mutually beneficial relationships with corporate decision-makers, conference organizers, travel agents and tour operators in sub-Saharan Africa, so allowing Marriott International to expand its reach in the business and leisure market. With Protea Hotels’ strong brand equity in the rest of Africa, where the business operates in eight countries, including its base in South Africa, the Protea Hotels venues are geared to service both business and leisure travelers, and we constantly research economic activity in other strategic countries on the continent to identify new opportunities.”
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