Australia’s StayWell Hospitality Group (SWHG) has teamed up with South African based hospitality group, Mantis Collection to front the growth of its hotel brands throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

(TRAVPR.COM) UAE - May 13th, 2014 - Australia’s StayWell Hospitality Group (SWHG) has teamed up with South African based hospitality group, Mantis Collection to front the growth of its hotel brands throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

In a move which will enable StayWell Hospitality Group to obtain more hotels and expand their network even further by establishing its Park Regis and Leisure Inn brands in some of sub-Saharan Africa’s key cities, at prime properties to be procured by Mantis.

The key strategic move aligns StayWell with one of the most progressive hospitality groups in sub-Saharan Africa, one which has had over 20 years of experience, having had business dealings with multiple countries throughout the region.

“We have entered an important joint venture partnership to form a hotel management company that will operate all StayWell-branded properties in sub-Saharan Africa,” said StayWell CEO and managing director, Simon Wan.

 “It provides a vital platform for StayWell’s expansion into a region that is accelerating in growth. It is widely recognized that Sub-Saharan Africa is outpacing North Africa in terms of development in the hospitality space which bodes well for the partnership. Using this platform, we will deliver proven hotel management, hospitality service and training skills, and position our new joint venture company to capitalize on lucrative opportunities as the regions hotel market grows and matures,” he continued.

Sub-Saharan Africa serves as another interesting region with an incredible amount of potential, and will serve as the ideal launch pad from which to penetrate the region for the privately-owned Australian operator that started in 2006 with five hotels and now runs an international portfolio of 34 properties in Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Singapore, the Middle East and the UK.

 “Sub-Saharan Africa is where India and China were 20 years ago in terms of development and opportunity; the timing of this joint venture between Mantis and StayWell couldn’t be better”, commented the Chairman of Mantis, Adrian Gardiner. “The opportunities are abundant, and with our expertise we’re looking forward to growing the Park Regis and Leisure Inn brands throughout the region – we already have a few propositions in the pipeline”.

The African deal follows StayWell’s recent hotel entry into China and its expansion in India, where it now has eight hotel agreements.

In early 2014, StayWell opened its first Indonesian property, Bali’s new Park Regis Kuta, and it will soon open its first UK hotel, Park Regis Birmingham.

-ENDS-

Media contacts:
Donna Kramer | P4 Group | 07 3854 1455 | donna@p4.com.au
Fiona Godfrey | StayWell Hospitality Group| 02 8198 9299 | fgodfrey@staywellgroup.com

About StayWell Hospitality Group:

Based in Sydney Australia, StayWell Hospitality Group, operates two high profile hotel brands – Park Regis and Leisure Inn. StayWell has a growing international hotel network now numbering 34 properties across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, India, the United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates. The company is privately owned by three stakeholders – Simon Wan (CEO and Managing Director), Richard Doyle (Executive Director and Corporate Counsel), and Bal Sohal (Non-Executive Director). StayWell has a defined strategy to grow its portfolio within three years to a network of more than 100 hotels across Australia, South East Asia, India, China and Europe.

About Mantis Collection:

Mantis is a family run collection of award winning, privately owned, five star properties located around the World, across all seven continents. Its specialist areas include Boutique Hotels, Game Reserves, Eco Lodges, Ski Lodges and Chalets and Boutique Cruises and offer in-the-know travelers the most exceptional properties and authentic experiences imaginable.

Each of the diverse, handpicked properties represents the finest example of its kind and celebrates the culture, gastronomy, architecture and nature of the locations in which they are found. Whilst every property is unique, being part of the collection ensures that the quality of the facilities, service and overall experience is consistently 5 star and guests can always expect personal, friendly service.

Officially founded by entrepreneur and hotelier Adrian Gardiner in 2000, Mantis is committed to the spirit of conservation and restoration, and each property is sensitive to its surroundings in respect of the building, environment and local community. The entrepreneurial spirit of the family underpins that of the group allowing them to be dynamic in the growth of the portfolio, responding quickly to consumer demand.

In 2013, Mantis has launched Mantis eXtreme which offers an online collection of authentic, once-in-a-lifetime encounters and experiences worldwide, often paired with product from their field of expertise - five star, handpicked properties. Experiences include: Wilderness camps in the great Niassa at Lugenda Wilderness Camp, Mozambique; Bear Grylls Survival Academy, U.K., USA, Africa; Parabolic flights with Space Affairs, Europe; Rhino Encounters with Dr. Will Fowlds, South Africa; Midnight Golf, Bjorkliden, Sweden and Great Bear Tours, Canada.

Mantis and Mantis eXtreme offer member properties the ideal sales, marketing and management solution for their boutique business to ensure successful growth and drive long term brand development. The company also offers consultancy services in other disciplines including conservation, education and hotel development.

For more information about the hotel visit: http://www.parkregiskriskin.com

For media contact:
Hina Bakht
Vice President
MPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)
Mob: +971 50 6975146
Email: h.bakht@mpj-pr.com
http://www.mpj-pr.com

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