Carlson Rezidor partners with Regency Foundation Networx and the United Nations Development Programme in CNBC TV series “It’s Africa’s Time”

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, ranked for four consecutive years on Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical companies list, joins the prestigious TV series “It’s Africa’s Time” (CNBC Africa) as an exclusive hotel partner.

In episode 11, “It’s Africa’s Time” travels with Carlson Rezidor to Cape Town and Addis Ababa to learn about the company’s Responsible Business initiatives which include providing jobs and training for vulnerable youth, as well as an extensive employee driven commitment to greener hotels.

“In many locations in Africa, we are the first international hotel group to arrive. We focus on inclusive business through employment and people development, because giving back to local communities through business, employment opportunities and charity work is part of our company DNA”, said Friedrich Schaefer, Regional Director sub-Saharan Africa at Rezidor.

Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President Responsible Business at Rezidor, added: “Many of our hotels are located in cities or beautiful natural surroundings, so it’s important to reduce our environmental footprint. We operate green hotels because we care for our guests, for the local community and for the future of the planet – and it makes good business sense too. Responsible Business at Carlson Rezidor is unique because it is driven by our people. All our staff knows about Responsible Business, they carry it in their hearts, and they practice it in their day to day jobs.”

“The hospitality industry is one of the sectors with the biggest potential for income generation and job creation in sub-Saharan Africa, providing extensive opportunities for local people through employment as well as supply of goods and services”, commented Tomas Sales, Manager of the African Facility for Inclusive Markets (AFIM) and UNDP. “So the hospitality industry is a very promising powerful sector for inclusive business in Africa.”

Don’t miss “IT’S AFRICA’S TIME” Episode 11 premiering on Tuesday 8th October at 7.30am on CNBC Africa, DSTV channel 410; with repeats on Saturday 12th at 10.30am and Tuesday 15th at 21.30pm CAT. The episode can also been watched online at:
http://www.abndigital.com/abn-pro/cnbc-africa-live/

About It’s Africa’s Time
With South African TV personality Natalie Becker as presenter “IT’S AFRICA’S TIME” is produced by Regency Foundation Networx, in association with Cape Town-based production company, Man Makes a Picture and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

About Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups. The portfolio of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group includes more than 1,300 hotels in operation and under development, a global footprint spanning 100 countries and territories and a powerful set of global brands (Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM and Hotel Missoni). The group plans to grow the portfolio to nearly 1,500 hotels in operation and under development by 2015. In most of the group’s hotels, guests can benefit from the loyalty program Club CarlsonSM, one of the most rewarding loyalty programs in the world. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and its brands employ more than 85,000 people.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and Brussels, Belgium.

http://www.carlsonrezidor.com; http://www.rezidor.com