InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has announced the signing of three new hotels in Namibia as part of a franchise agreement with Cadence Capital & Santiago Property Developers Pty Ltd.
The agreement will see the debut of Vignette Collection Dunes Resort Swakopmund, Holiday Inn Walvis Bay, and voco Windhoek CBD, collectively adding 347 rooms to IHG’s growing pipeline in Southern Africa.
The three properties will be operated by Valor Hospitality Partners, a global leader in integrated hotel management and operations solutions, and one of IHG’s trusted partners. All hotels are expected to open in early 2028.
The 100-key Holiday Inn Walvis Bay will serve the country’s main port city, a vital hub for Namibia’s logistics and industrial activity. Ideally positioned to support corporate demand, the hotel will also provide guests with access to nearby attractions such as the Walvis Bay Lagoon and Dune 7.
In the heart of Namibia’s capital city, the 147-key voco Windhoek CBD will cater to increasing demand from business and government travellers.
Windhoek is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by growth in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, and green hydrogen development.
This week, Rodrigo Pimenta director at Santiago Property Developers explained further to Observer Money what this deal means for the Namibian hospitality industry.
Observer Money (OM): How much will the 100-key Holiday Inn Walvis Bay cost to construct, and where will the funding come from?
Rodrigo Pimenta (RP): The construction costs are well within internationally defined costs per key parameters for hotels within this market segment. The funding for projects of this magnitude is a blended mechanism comprising local and foreign sources.
OM: Is there room for more hotels in Namibia?
RP: There’s definitely still room for more hotels in Namibia, as long as they’re well-positioned and responsive to emerging demand. Our new developments are just the beginning, driven by a clear need for quality supply, especially with tourism growth and major investment flows reshaping the landscape.
OM: What impact are sectors such as oil and gas, mining, and green hydrogen development having on the demand for accommodation in Namibia?
RP: The growth of Namibia’s oil and gas, mining, and green hydrogen sectors is driving a clear uptick in accommodation demand. These industries are bringing in technical teams, investors, and contractors who need both short- and long-term lodging. We’re seeing demand not just for hotel rooms, but for serviced apartments and workforce housing too.
OM: Do you have any plans for a hotel in Luderitz, which is the centre of the oil and gas industry in Namibia?
RP: We do not have plans for Luderitz at this point in time.
OM: Anything else to add?
RP: The debut of a Vignette Collection in Namibia bears testament to Namibia’s growing appeal as a destination of choice for the discerning traveller.
