Africa’s emerging cities are becoming the new frontier for global travel investment, as major hotel groups and international airlines expand beyond the continent’s traditional tourism hubs.
What’s happening: Serious investment is flowing into Africa’s secondary and tertiary cities, with new hotels and flight routes opening up destinations once overlooked by global brands.
Who’s involved: International hotel giants including Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Radisson, Hyatt and IHG are leading the charge, backed by governments, tourism boards and airline partners such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines.
Where it’s happening: Growth is spreading across West, East, North and Southern Africa — from Conakry in Guinea and Kolwezi in the DRC, to Kigali, Nairobi, Nouakchott and Cape Verde — many welcoming their first-ever global hotel brands.
Why it matters: According to the United Nations, Africa recorded a 12 percent rise in international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2025. Relaxed visa policies, improving infrastructure and stronger air connectivity are boosting business, leisure and regional travel, while creating jobs and attracting further investment.
When and what’s next: Expansion is accelerating now, with major milestones set between 2026 and 2030. Radisson aims for 150 African properties by 2030, Hilton plans more than 100 new hotels, and Marriott expects to open over 50 by 2027, many in emerging markets.
Air travel is keeping pace. Turkish Airlines now serves 42 African countries, Qatar Airways operates more than 200 weekly flights to 30 African cities, and African carriers like Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir are expanding regional access.
Industry experts say the ripple effect of global brands entering new destinations is raising standards, unlocking funding and positioning Africa’s growing cities for a stronger role in global tourism.
That’s the latest on Africa’s shifting travel landscape — where new routes, new hotels and new opportunities are taking off.
