Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt-Branded Hotel in Senegal: Hyatt Dak

  Hyatt Hotels Corporation  announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Lacoste & Cie S.A. for a new Hyatt hotel in Senegal's capital city, Dakar. Hyatt Dakar will become the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Senegal, joining the previously announced Park Hyatt Marrakech and Hyatt Place Taghazout in Morocco, as well as Park Hyatt Zanzibar and Hyatt Regency Arusha in Tanzania.

"We are delighted to work with Lacoste & Cie S.A. on Hyatt Dakar, our first hotel in Senegal. The company has a depth of expertise that matches Hyatt's ambition to provide an exemplary guest experience," said Peter Norman, senior vice president, real estate and development, for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "Africa's hotel market remains underdeveloped, despite a growing middle class and increased inward investment in recent years which has pushed up demand for hotels. This creates significant opportunities for us and has increased Hyatt's development focus on the continent. We believe that the Hyatt brand and the hotel's excellent location in Dakar - one of West Africa's major business hubs - will have strong appeal to business and leisure travelers visiting the region."

Expected to open in 2016, Hyatt Dakar will offer 140 guestrooms, and will feature two restaurants, a guest lounge and bar, as well as meeting space and a spa. The hotel will be located in the heart of the city's business district, within walking distance of major international organizations in the city, such as UNICEF and UNESCO. Additionally, the hotel will border the popular Kermel market, which was originally built in 1860 and is known for its striking original architecture.

"We appreciate Hyatt's commitment to providing authentic hospitality to its guests, and we believe Hyatt Dakar's excellent location in the city's business district will deliver an exceptional hospitality experience to guests visiting the region," said Dr. Mahmoud Aidibe, Lacoste & Cie S.A.

There are currently six Hyatt-branded hotels in Africa, including:

-- Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort

-- Hyatt Regency Taba Heights

-- Hyatt Regency Casablanca

-- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilamanjaro

-- Hyatt Regency Johannesburg

-- Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa