Episode 72 : Wytze Van Den Berg, Vice President EMEA BWH Hotel Group®
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
Release Date: 05/26/2023
Episode 99: The Hotelification of Workspaces with Michael Aldridge
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Michael Aldridge, Founder and CEO of KOFISI, shares the story of how the company has evolved from its beginnings in Kenya into one of Africa’s most influential workspace brands. He talks about KOFISI’s unique approach to “hotelifying” the workplace—blending hospitality, design, and service to create full-service environments that enhance productivity and employee wellbeing.
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Episode 98: Beyond RevPAR: Why Storytelling Drives Hospitality Value
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, JoBecker-Birck, Director of PR & Communications at WorldHotels, discusses the power of storytelling in the industry. It focuses on how brands are created and elevated through the mediums of PR and storytelling. The conversation also focuses on how the PR domain is evolving and how it can play a significant role in writing a hotel's success story
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Episode 97: Kenya’s Hospitality Reset: Investment, Policy & the Road Ahead
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode, we explore Kenya’s evolving hospitality landscape at a time when Africa’s inbound tourism is growing at twice the global average. The conversation examines the key drivers behind Kenya’s resilience, the gaps between policy ambition and on-the-ground execution, and the country’s strategic shift toward business, MICE, and digital nomad markets.
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Episode 96: Rethinking Nairobi: Capital and Confidence
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode, the conversation explored how 88 Nairobi represents a new chapter of urban luxury in Africa and how landmark developments can reshape investor confidence and resident expectations. The discussion examined evolving demand patterns across Kenya, shifts in capital flow, and what is needed to unlock greater institutional investment into African real estate and hospitality.
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Protecting the Wild: Merging Tourism and Conservation in Africa
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
Brooke Friswold, Conservational Biologist at Bring the Elephant Home, shares a compelling vision for how conservation, science, and hospitality can work together to create sustainable ecotourism models. In this episode, she outlines efforts to rewild South Africa’s captive elephants, develop data-driven policies to protect elephant wellbeing, and launch immersive conservation tourism programs that fund research and uplift communities. Whether it’s community-led chili farming in Thailand or luxury lodges funding scientific initiatives in Africa, Brooke makes the case for a future where...
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Building Africa's Next Powerhouse: The Journey of Tadiwos Belete
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
What does it take to build a hospitality brand rooted in African identity and driven by community impact? In this FHS Africa podcast episode, Matthew Weihs is joined by Tadiwos Belete, CEO and Founder of Kuriftu Resorts, to unpack his extraordinary story — from leaving Ethiopia as a teenage refugee to founding Boston Partners PLC and igniting tourism development in his home country. Tadiwos reflects on the challenges of returning to a market with decades of halted progress, and how he created a model where 83% of staff are the same people who built the resorts. He outlines his ambitious...
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Transforming Congo: Hospitality, Investment, and Opportunity with CHIC
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Khalil Manji, CEO of CHIC, to explore the future of hospitality investment across Africa — with a particular focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other emerging markets. Khalil shares insights into why destinations like the DRC are becoming increasingly attractive to investors, the challenges of pioneering in untapped regions, and how strategic partnerships and local knowledge are critical for success. He also discusses the broader trends shaping Africa’s hospitality landscape, the evolving role of private capital, and what opportunities he...
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Episode 92: BWH's Global Footprint: Independent Hotels, New Markets, and the Future of Travel
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
With over 4,200 hotels across 100 destinations, BWH Hotels has transformed from a midscale brand into a global player covering everything from luxury to glamping. In this episode of the FHS Africa Podcast, we sit down with Ron Pohl, President of WorldHotels and Head of International Operations at BWH Hotels, to explore the group's evolving strategy. From expanding in Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil to the rise of independent hotels and the demand for experiential travel, we dive into the key trends shaping the future of hospitality. Ron also shares insights on how BWH balances brand standards...
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Episode 91: Expanding Horizons: Tui Blue's Growth Strategy Across Africa
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
In this episode of the FHS Africa Podcast, Matthew Weihs speaks with Wesam Okasha, Managing Director of TUI BLUE, about the brand’s ambitious expansion across Africa. With recent triple-branded developments in Kenya, a growing presence in Zanzibar and South Africa, and a focus on sustainable tourism, TUI BLUE is redefining hospitality across the continent. Wesam shares insights into the brand’s strategy, from integrated resort clusters to AI-powered operations and eco-friendly initiatives. 💡 Key takeaways: ✔️ TUI BLUE’s 1,000-room expansion in Kenya ✔️ The rise of luxury...
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Episode 90: Navigating Africa’s Hospitality Market: Insights on Economic Shifts, Connectivity, and Investment
Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast
This AHIF podcast episode dives into Africa’s dynamic hospitality market with expert insights from political economist Daniel Silke. Hosted by Matthew Weiss, the discussion explores the continent's growth drivers, key market trends, and investment opportunities that are shaping Africa’s hospitality landscape. From economic resilience and demographic shifts to air connectivity and sustainable tourism, this conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the future of African hospitality. Tune in to understand why Africa is the next frontier for hospitality investment.
info_outlineBest Western's Strategic Approach to Growth and Expansion in Africa and Beyond
Best Western Hotel Group's recent acquisition of World Hotels and expansion into the luxury market is a reflection of their CEO's global growth strategy. With a goal of having 80 hotels in Africa by 2026, Best Western is actively working with existing hoteliers and owners to rebrand and expand their footprint on the continent.
Wytze Van Den Berg, the Vice President EMEA, explains how Best Western has integrated the World Hotels team into their own, adding experienced professionals in the upper upscale and luxury segments to their team. Best Western will continue to use all of their brand names for consumer marketing purposes, but for B2B sales, they will reach out to clients as BWH Hotels.
In addition to growth and expansion, Wytze also highlights the importance of cost savings and competitiveness in the industry. Rising labor, energy, and construction costs make it increasingly important to collectively source materials for construction and invest in technology to make distribution more economic. Operational cost savings through combined buying power also play a crucial role.
Best Western's strategic approach to growth and expansion in Africa and beyond is a reflection of their commitment to offering a wide range of options to keep customers loyal while remaining competitive in the current market. As the industry continues to evolve, Best Western is positioning itself for continued success and growth.