Club Med Will Expand into New Market With First South Africa Resort
Skift Take
Club Med has finally committed to long-overdue expansion into sub-Saharan Africa. It’s good news for South Africa’s tourism prospects and introduces the brand to an untapped African market.
After a decade of planning, Club Med has confirmed plans to build its first resort in sub-Saharan Africa. The global resort operator has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a local partner, as yet unnamed, to construct a resort north of the coastal city of Durban, in South Africa’s eastern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.
While the finer details have not been disclosed, it’s expected the new resort will offer upward of 350 rooms, with extensive conference facilities on-site. It will be situated on a 30-hectare coastal site, six miles from King Shaka International Airport. Emirates and British Airways both offer direct flights to the city.
But perhaps more interesting than “what” is the “why”: Why has Club Med chosen South Africa, why KwaZulu-Natal, and why now?
The expansion into sub-Saharan Africa certainly fits with Club Med’s aggressive strategy.
“Club Med’s development policy, and the tradition of C
