Hyatt has announced plans to launch its first hotel in Zambia with the upcoming Hyatt Regency Lusaka The Pamodzi, set to open in 2026. The move comes through a management agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and ASB Hotel Properties and Albwardy Investments (Pamodzi Hotels PLC).

The property, currently known as The Pamodzi Hotel, will remain open during a complete refurbishment and later reopen under the Hyatt Regency brand. This milestone marks Hyatt’s entry into the Zambian market, expanding its footprint in Africa and offering World of Hyatt members new destinations to explore and earn rewards.

“We are delighted to work with ASB Hotel Properties, Albwardy Investments and Pamodzi Hotels PLC to bring the Hyatt Regency brand to Zambia in 2026,” said Stephen Ansell, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “This signing is a fantastic milestone as we continue growing our brands in Africa, showcasing our commitment to enhancing our brand presence in the region and expanding our Classics Portfolio in new destinations.”

Sharing his excitement, Ali Albwardy, Chairman of Albwardy Investments, added, “The Pamodzi Hotel has long been a landmark in Lusaka, and through this renovation and rebranding, we aim to elevate it into a world-class destination for both business and leisure travelers. This project reflects our continued commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector and to creating exceptional guest experiences in markets with strong growth potential.”

Located in the heart of Lusaka, the upcoming Hyatt Regency Lusaka The Pamodzi will feature 170 contemporary guestrooms and suites, thoughtfully designed for comfort and style. The hotel will also offer modern meeting and event spaces, ideal for both corporate gatherings and private celebrations.

Guests will have easy access to the city’s main attractions such as the Lusaka National Museum, and nature enthusiasts can reach Lusaka National Park and the Elephant Orphanage Project within a short drive — making it a convenient stay for both business and leisure travelers.

The hotel’s debut will reinforce Hyatt’s ongoing expansion across Africa, combining global standards of hospitality with the warm, welcoming spirit Zambia is known for.

For more details, visit www.HyattRegency.com.

The First Group Hospitality is pleased to announce the appointment of Khaled El Sharbatly as Director of Guest Engagement, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in customer engagement, sales, reservations, and front office operations across leading hotel brands in the Middle East and Africa.

El Sharbatly joins The First Group Hospitality after 15 successful years at Marriott International, where he held multiple leadership positions, most recently heading the Dubai Customer Engagement Centre (CEC). In this role, he oversaw central reservations operations for nearly 70 hotels in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, achieving remarkable performance milestones, including 135% of enrollment targets in 2024 and Forbes Luxury Properties Audit scores of 98%. His tenure at Marriott also earned him accolades such as the Reservations Team of the Year Award and the Associates Engagement Survey Award.

In his new role, Khaled El Sharbatly will collaborate closely with The First Group Hospitality’s reservations, revenue management, sales, marketing, finance, and food & beverage teams, as well as property general managers, to enhance service standards and operational efficiency across the group’s expanding portfolio.

Commenting on the appointment, Tom Stevens, Senior Vice President – Operations, said:

"Khaled brings to this new role a remarkable knowledge of operations, including process optimisation, customer service strategies, and performance metrics. I am confident Khaled’s knowledge will be invaluable in implementing best practices to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across our portfolio of diverse hotels and dining outlets."

El Sharbatly’s appointment underscores The First Group Hospitality’s commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences while strengthening operational excellence across its growing Middle East and international presence.

Hilton has reached a major milestone in its luxury and lifestyle segment, now operating over 160 hotels across Asia Pacific. This growth reflects rising demand for unique, experience-driven stays, and the company plans to expand its portfolio by at least 50% in the coming years.

The expansion follows the recent launch of Motto by Hilton Hong Kong Soho, Hilton’s first lifestyle brand in the region. The hotel offers a connected experience with thoughtfully designed guest rooms, dynamic public areas, and locally inspired food and beverage offerings. Recent openings of Waldorf Astoria Osaka and Secan Hotel Qingdao, Curio Collection by Hilton, also highlight Hilton’s growing presence in the luxury and lifestyle segment.

“Asia Pacific continues to be an engine of growth for Hilton’s luxury and lifestyle brands. The appetite for distinctive, experience-led stays is stronger than ever, and Hilton is proud to lead the way in shaping the future of hospitality in this vibrant region,” said Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

Hilton’s upcoming openings over the next 12 months include Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan, Canopy by Hilton Shanghai Belfry Plaza, KROMO Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton, Kahavadi Chiang Rai, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Nivata Koh Samui, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The first Waldorf Astoria in Indonesia will debut in Bali in 2027, while NoMad Singapore and Canopy by Hilton Makati in the Philippines are set for 2026.

“Hilton brands lead the industry in terms of rooms under construction in this region. In Asia Pacific, we are on track to double our presence of Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and LXR Hotels & Resorts, debut NoMad and Signia by Hilton, and expand our lifestyle brands which are seeing surging interest from owners across the region,” said Clarence Tan, Senior Vice President, Development, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

Long-term plans include seven new Waldorf Astoria properties in Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Sydney, Xi’an, Tokyo, Delhi, and Bali. Conrad Hotels & Resorts will grow in Jaipur, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Bangkok, and several Chinese cities. LXR Hotels & Resorts will debut in Bengaluru, Hiroshima, and Xi’an, while Signia by Hilton is set to launch in India. Curio Collection by Hilton will arrive in Bengaluru, Wuxi, and Langkawi, and Canopy by Hilton will open in Bangkok and Okinawa.

Hilton’s growth has been accelerated by acquiring a majority stake in Sydell Group to expand the NoMad brand and an exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, giving Hilton guests access to independent luxury properties globally.

With this momentum, Hilton has added over 100 future luxury and lifestyle hotels to its global development pipeline in 2025 and expects to launch three new luxury and lifestyle hotels per week, adding approximately 150 hotels to its global portfolio.