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MainStay Suites Launches in Australia with Seven New Properties – Image Credit Choice Hotels
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Choice Hotels International has announced plans to open three franchised properties in Kenya by early 2026, marking its entry into the African market.
Choice Hotels International has revealed its strategy to expand into the African market with the signing of three franchised properties in Kenya. The company expects these hotels to open by early 2026. This move is part of a broader plan to increase its presence in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
The Kenyan portfolio will include an Ascend Collection property located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a popular safari destination. Additionally, a Clarion hotel and a Quality Inn hotel will be established in Nairobi’s central business district. These developments aim to cater to both business and leisure travelers in the region.
In conjunction with the Kenyan projects, Choice Hotels has signed a master development agreement to add at least 15 more properties across sub-Saharan and southern Africa by 2030. This initiative aligns with the company’s strategy to accelerate growth in emerging markets.
The expansion into Africa is part of Choice Hotels’ ongoing efforts to increase its international footprint. The company’s EMEA portfolio currently includes approximately 64,000 rooms, up 7% year-over-year as of the third quarter. This follows other international expansions, such as the doubling of its portfolio in France with the addition of 50 Quality Suites hotels.
Earlier this year, Choice Hotels also announced a significant expansion in China through a master franchise and distribution agreement with SSAW Hotels & Resorts. This agreement added over 9,500 rooms to the Ascend Collection Hotels and committed to growing the Comfort Hotels and Quality brands to 100 properties nationwide. The company has also entered new markets in Argentina and Suriname.
Choice Hotels’ international division is projected to generate approximately $3 billion in gross rooms revenue and aims to double its profitability by 2027. The company expects high single-digit international room growth this year, with its international portfolio now exceeding 150,000 rooms outside the United States.
Recent achievements in the company’s international expansion include the launch of its extended-stay business in Australia with the debut of MainStay Suites, the acquisition of its remaining stake in Choice Hotels Canada, and a 20-year renewal of its master franchise agreement with Atlántica Hospitality International in Brazil.