The hotels owning company, Summa Group, a Turkish construction company, made the hotel stand out initially by designing and building the hotel in just 10 months, in time to host the African Union Conference within one month of opening.
Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, has set a global first in hotel safety and security with Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center Niamey securing the highest level of Safehotels certification, Executive, just three days after the hotel opened in June 2019. This marks Radisson Hotel Group’s fourth hotel in Africa to achieve Executive level Safehotels certification this year.
The hotels owning company, Summa Group, a Turkish construction company, made the hotel stand out initially by designing and building the hotel in just 10 months, in time to host the African Union Conference within one month of opening.
Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Responsible Business and Safety & Security, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Understanding the importance guests and corporate clients place on security in high risk locations such as Niger, Summa and Radisson Hotel Group placed urgency on conducting the Safehotels certification. From the onset, the hotel aimed for the highest Safehotels certification, Executive level. Bearing in mind the work involved in ensuring all processes and installations are compliant with the Safehotels standard, coupled with the immense responsibility and workload when opening a hotel, it is a remarkable achievement for the hotel to have secured this within three days of the hotel opening. This shows applaudable commitment from the franchise owning company, Summa Group and the team at Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Niamey.”
Husnu Tayanc, Vice President of Summa Hotels & Hospitality and the opening GM of Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Niamey, said “Summa Group has been operating in Africa since 2008, developing many premium quality construction and investment projects within extreme deadlines. Today the group is recognized as one of the fastest growing brand names in Africa. Owners, engineers and each and every team member are perfectly focused on bringing world class projects to life in Africa, even with the continents challenging logistics. Achieving Safehotels Executive Level certification is rare, even in developed markets such as Europe. This is a true testament that Summa engineering, management team and owners believe the importance of delivering the highest level of security at our hotels.”
In December 2014, Radisson Hotel Group became the first global hotel group to agree to independent third-party certification for its industry leading safety program according to Safehotels’ Global Hotel Security Standard. Over 80% of Radisson Hotel Group hotels in Africa have secured the Safehotels certification, majority achieving the Premium level certification.
The Safehotels certificate allows Radisson Hotel Group to add external validation to their industry leading safety and security program and to create additional value for the guests, staff and owners. The yearly Safehotels audit validates close to 200 criteria, including security equipment, staff awareness & training, fire security, crisis management and first aid.
Explaining the importance of the Safehotels certification, Inge said, “Safety and security are at the forefront of any travellers mind, from leisure to business, creating an increasing expectation that hospitality providers will deliver a safe and secure experience. Our clients continue to express their preference for doing business with Safehotels certified hotels and can always rest assure that we have placed Safehotels as a priority in each of our hotels. We are proud to be taking the lead on this development in so many markets, especially in areas such as Africa”.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
