Continent Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, an innovative and progressive integrated hospitality management, franchisor and development company, has announced the appointment of Mr. Yusuf Olela Omanya as its Vice President for Eastern Africa in a bid to consolidate on its presence and brand positioning.
According to the press release dated December 20, 2022, Yusuf will be in charge of the brand’s presence, expansion and exploring further opportunities in Eastern Africa comprising the thirteen (13) countries that make up the region’s economic block and Malawi. His appointment with Continent Worldwide Hotels takes effect from 1st February 2023.
Mr. Yusuf Olela holds MBA Marketing from University of Applied Management (UAM Erding) Germany, Bachelor degree in Hospitality Management from Kenyatta, Kenya; and Diploma in Hotel Management from Kenya Utalii College. He is a certified Hospitality Strategic manager with Cornel University, New York under its professional development program and a member of Cornel Hotel Society. Mr. Olela is the Chief Executive of Sunbird Tourism Plc; a leading hotel chain brand in Malawi with 9 hotels.
Yusuf is joining the Continent Worldwide Hotel with over 24 years’ experience in the hospitality industry covering various capacities; having held senior positions as Operations Manager, General Manager and Chief Executive within Africa and having grown as restaurant manager, Brand manager, Sales Manager, Food and Beverage Director, Operations Manager General Manager and Chief Executive of Local and international hotel brands. He has worked with the major international Brands: Fairmont Hotels & Raffles, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) and Swiss International Hotels & Resorts.
Mr. Bogac Gulderen, Vice President Operations & Franchise Development Global of Continent Worldwide Hotels, said, “we are happy to have Yusuf join the team towards increasing our momentum in Africa as this is important to our long-term strategies to proactively target recovery and growth in the hospitality sector.
“At Continent Worldwide Hotels, we remain committed to expand our footprint in our target markets offering superior brand standards and exceptional management options to hotel owners with flexible terms tailored for diverse market segments.”
While congratulating Mr. Olela on his joining the Continent Worldwide Hotels, Professor Wasiu Babalola, the Senior Vice President for Africa shares the group’s plans for contributing to community welfare initiatives in Africa.
He stated, “We will invest back in the community as well as the development of people who work with and for us with an aim to improve lives. Our goal is to become the strongest and most preferred employer by supporting critical social causes such as funding and resources supports for existing hospitality professional bodies, mentorship programme towards the building of the next generation managers for the Continent.”
Continent Worldwide Hotels operates about 79 hotels globally in 11 Countries across 4 Continents. Continent Worldwide Hotels brands include Lofty Collection, Continent Hotels, Ancyra Inns & Hotels, Budgetel, Jomo, Swiss Inn, Zeez, Acqua Celeste and the Continent Collection for independent standing hotels that operate under the same Core Values in order to provide guests a great stay at a great value every time.
