Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has Selected Tejas Shah as First-ever Director of Development in Africa
December 2, 2014 - In this role, Shah will be responsible for driving growth and brand awareness for Hyatt throughout the continent.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Shah will be responsible for enhancing Hyatt's brand expansion efforts across Africa, working with Peter Norman, senior vice president, real estate and development, for Hyatt in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“As we look to build Hyatt's brand presence around the world, it is vitally important to focus on Africa, which is a vibrant market with immense growth potential,” said Norman.
“I'm confident that Tejas' skills, expertise and leadership will significantly contribute to our success in this key geography.”
Shah is a 12-year Hyatt veteran, who started as an account executive in the Shared Service Centre in Mumbai, and who most recently served as director of development in India.
During his tenure in this role, Hyatt expanded its footprint significantly in the country, most notably by bringing the Hyatt Place brand to India.
“It is exciting for me to work in a diverse and high-growth region like Africa,” Shah noted.
“I look forward to building on my experience in South Asia and work on opportunities to help drive Hyatt's strategic growth in Africa.”
There are already currently six Hyatt-branded hotels across Africa with five more hotels expected to open by early 2017 in Morocco, Senegal and Tanzania.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
