Rezidor Hotel Group has announced the very first Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Senegal, the Park Inn by Radisson Dakar, during the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2012.

The property features 122 guest rooms is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2014.

This signing brings Rezidor’s total African hotel portfolio to 49 hotels with 11,000 rooms in operation and under development, and further strengthens the group’s position as one of the leading international operators on the continent.

“Park Inn by Radisson is our young and dynamic mid-market brand, and we are delighted to introduce the brand to Senegal”, said Rezidor president Kurt Ritter.

“Park Inn by Radisson offers colourful comfort, a hassle free stay, and great value for money.

“We see a promising growth potential for this brand across Africa where we now have 16 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in operation and under development and will further extend our network.”

The new build Park Inn by Radisson Dakar will enjoy a premium location between Dakar’s International Airport and the city’s main highway.

“Senegal is part of the Economic Community of West African States where Rezidor follows a development cluster strategy,” added Andrew McLachlan, vice president business development for Africa & Indian Ocean Islands of Rezidor.

“Senegal also has been held up as one of Africa’s model democracies. The country is currently recovering from the global financial crisis, and tourism is the predominant area of the Senegalese ‘Millennium Objectives for Development’.

“The capital city Dakar acts as a forerunner to this development plan. The city is attractive to both business and leisure travellers, and national and international organizations have been relocating from neighbouring cities to Dakar.

“The city also features a rich UNESCO heritage.

The fresh Park Inn by Radisson brand has been created for fast and flexible growth.

“Our hotels are highly efficient and innovative properties that are global in outlook and local in operation. We are committed to ambitious growth of this Park Inn by Radisson in key cities across West Africa,” concluded McLachlan.