Western Africa is slated for a hotel expansion programme, earlier this month, the parties signed a development and representation agreement for the brands Golden Tulip and Tulip Inn to be developed by Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria Ltd, a partnership between Lionstone and W Hospitality Group. 

Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria has secured foreign equity and debt funding to support the hotel expansion programme for the region.

Trevor Ward, Managing Director of Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria, said: "During the next five years we plan to open at least seven hotels across Western Africa, with a main focus on Nigeria and Ghana. The portfolio will be a mix of newly developed and converted properties to operate under the Golden Tulip and Tulip Inn brands and will be operated by Golden Tulip Hotels Nigeria.

Amaechi Ndili, Managing Director of The Lionstone Company, added: "The successful fund raising allows us to develop the business and exploit a number of exciting opportunities in the major business hubs of Western Africa. The region today is highly attractive for foreign direct investment and lacks a good supply of quality hotel accommodation. We are very excited about the opportunities and are highly encouraged by the financing that has been made available to us.

Hans Kennedie, President & CEO of Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns & Resorts commented: "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to grow our brands in this vastly developing region.  Golden Tulip and Tulip Inn hotels will appeal to the travellers looking for a high quality product and service at an affordable price.  The strong presence of Golden Tulip in continental Europe and the Middle East will ensure increasing recognition for the growing portfolio in Western Africa.

Golden Tulip today combines 250 hotels, of which five hotels are located in the African continent in Cairo (Egypt), Carthage (Tunisia), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) and Accra (Ghana).