By Olusegun Olanrewaju
From June 25 to 27, 2024, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola, will take the podium to receive what has been styled Africa’s version of the prestigious Oscars award, but this time in the hospitality industry.
The occasion will be the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), taking place in Namibia at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, the capital city of the southern African nation.
Olusola will be honoured with the African Hospitality Leadership Award alongside the president of Golden Tulip Afrique Francophone & East Africa (GTAF), Alain Sebah.
The duo will receive their respective awards in recognition of their professional accomplishments.
Alain, on his part, will receive the ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’.
A citation ahead of the occasion stated that Dupe merits the award largely because of her role in the anti-COVID pandemic campaign, during which she became the Managing Director and CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc when occupancy fell to ‘just 5 per cent’.
”She led the company back to profitability faster than most of the world’s hospitality companies, with the share price growing over 600 per cent in 2023.
”Under her leadership, the company has extended its offer; historically an award-winning business hotel, the company’s flagship property Transcorp Hilton Abuja had since introduced leisure offerings, finding the perfect blend of business and leisure.
”The company has also won over 40 awards since Dupe became Managing Director/CEO. She has won several personal awards, including CEO of the Year,” the organisers say.
They add, ”Transcorp Hilton Abuja has elevated its status as the place to stay and to hold major events in Nigeria’s capital city.
”In November 2023, with banqueting inquiries exceeding capacity, Dupe set up marquees within the grounds of the hotel, rather than turn away business.”
Commenting on her winning the leadership award, Dupe Olusola said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Leadership Award at AHIF.
”This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of the entire Transcorp Hotels team. Together, we have navigated challenging times and emerged stronger, continually pushing the boundaries of excellence in hospitality.
”I am proud of what we have achieved and excited about the future as we continue to innovate, expand, and deliver outstanding experiences for our guests.”
The founder of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), Matthew Weihs, said: “It will be an enormous pleasure to see two exceptionally impressive individuals receiving African hospitality industry ‘Oscars’ at AHIF.
”Alain is one of the great statesmen of the sector, who has achieved consistent success through a brilliant mix of charm, dynamism, flexibility, and commercial nous.
”The operational excellence his team has achieved in Cotonou is fantastic, as was the deal he signed in Abidjan at the height of the pandemic.”
He adds, “Dupe’s record is outstanding. She became the first female CEO of an N1 trillion company shortly after Transcorp ended the year as the best-performing stock on the Nigerian Exchange.
”One has to admire her ability to inspire people and the innovative way she fought to retain guests when other hoteliers would simply have said they were fully booked.
”Alain founded GTAF a decade ago, since then he has opened 11 hotels and has five under construction.
”He has been responsible for growing the brand in both French and English-speaking Africa, focusing on management and franchise agreements.
”In doing so, he overcame numerous challenges, including industry scepticism. He has demonstrated resilience and strategic vision; delivered exceptional guest experiences, advanced career opportunities for employees, and won the confidence of investors.
AHIF takes place at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia, 25th to 27th June 2024.
The event is described as ”the most influential gathering of hospitality executives in Africa, connecting business leaders and fuelling investment in tourism projects, infrastructure, and hotel development across the continent.”
