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Sebah, president, GTAF, Outstanding Contribution
Dupe Olusola, managing director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc
Business a.m. Reporter
Dupe Olusola, the managing director and chief executive officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, and Alain Sebah, president, Golden Tulip Afrique Francophone & East Africa (GTAF), are both up for awards at the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), taking place in Namibia later this month. The award will recognise their professional accomplishments with Sebah receiving the “Outstanding Contribution Award” while Olusola will be presented the “Leadership Award”.
Dupe Olusola – Leadership Award
Dupe became managing Director and chief executive officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc during the COVID-19 pandemic when occupancy fell to just five percent. She led the company back to profitability faster than most of the world’s hospitality companies, with the share price growing over 600 percent 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 she became managing director and CEO. She has won several personal awards, including CEO of the Year.
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 enquiries exceeding capacity, Olusola set up marquees within the grounds of the hotel rather than turn away business.
Commenting on receiving news of 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.”
Matthew Weihs, founder of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), 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.”
“Dupe’s record is outstanding. She became the first female CEO of a 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 Sebah – Outstanding Contribution Award
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.
The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) will take place at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia from 25 to 27 June, 2024.
According to a statement by the organisers, the event is 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.
