Hospitality Awards 2024 | 33 Sep24490 Ankara & Lustar is a leading firm that offers bespoke white-label, full-service hotel development and advisory services, placing a specific focus on Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Prioritising its clients’ and partners’ long-term interests, the firm has delivered more than 30 hotel projects in the continent and promises to handle investments with top-tier confidentiality and grit, emphasising sustainable management practices. Following Ankara & Lustar’s recent recognition in the Hospitality Awards 2024, we speak with Founder, CEO, and Senior Partner Apiyo Aloo to find out more. Best White-Label Hotel Development & Advisory Firm 2024 – Keyna In direct response to this challenge, Ankara & Lustar has developed a Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT, which provides low cost capital to first time home investors and SMEs in Africa, with sustainability requirements. This saw an uptake of new hotel development increasing by almost 30%, directly from the trust. Bringing innovative and creative solutions to its clients, Ankara & Lustar also offers an array of specialist services, including hotel asset management, capital raising, brand and operator selection, hotel feasibility studies, pre-opening planning, brand development, revenue management, sales and marketing, financial advisory, staff training and development, and repositioning services. “Let your interest be our priority.” For Ankara & Lustar, clients are the number one priority. The firm strives to deliver an optimal experience by tailoring its solutions for clients, partners, and staff - who it views as internal guests - that are focused on sustainability. One shining example of how Ankara & Lustar goes above and beyond for its clients is its commitment to donating 10% of the proceeds from its fees to a charity of its guest’s or partner’s choice. “This is only revealed after the successful completion of each mandate,” Apiyo explains. “Through this partnership with our guests, we have managed to build three schools, enacted the provision of equipment for children with learning disabilities, and supplied physiotherapy equipment to senior living facilities across Africa.” This approach to client satisfaction has certainly proven successful, as Ankara & Lustar have achieved significant milestones over the past year. Apiyo tells us that the firm has successfully secured funding for one of the largest luxury hotel developments in the continent, on the island of Zanzibar, having raised a total of $71 million for the successful development of the hotel. This monumental development has enabled Ankara & Lustar to indirectly facilitate the employment of more than 400 employees. In doing so, Ankara & Lustar not only contributes significantly to the local economy, but also indirectly impacts over 1,000 families of stakeholders. Since its inception, Ankara & Lustar has been committed to the sustainable development of clients across Africa. The firm leverages its extensive industry expertise and strategic partnerships to deliver high quality, dependable services geared towards boosting the success of any branded or independent hotel. The Hospitality Awards are held to celebrate the key players within the hospitality industry, those who trailblaze and innovate to facilitate the continuous development of the sector. Without the spectacular services of firms such as Ankara & Lustar, many of the prestigious establishments we know today would not be nearly so successful. For its work within the sector, and unwavering dedication to uplifting and improving the operationality of its clientele and peers, Ankara & Lustar has been rightfully awarded the title of the Best White-Label Hotel Management and Advisory Firm 2024 – Kenya. Contact Details Contact: Apiyo Aloo Company: Ankara & Lustar Hotel Development & Advisory Web Address: https://www.ankara-reit.com/ stablished in 2015, Ankara & Lustar delivers high-quality services to its clients by leveraging its team’s decades of collective experience within the hospitality industry. As a white-label firm, Ankara & Lustar operates entirely under its client’s brand, providing them with a seamless brand experience that has been tailored specifically to meet their unique needs. After almost a decade of navigating the complex landscape of hospitality in its region, Ankara & Lustar understands the challenges that arise when developing, owning, or investing in a hotel in Africa, let alone building a portfolio. This insight is what makes the firm the perfect partner for those seeking growth, in addition to its team of professionals possessing both global and local expertise. “We are an African home grown brand,” says Apiyo. “All of our competitors within the continent are international companies operating within Africa. We care about our continent and have undying passion for ensuring that we create a platform for African solutions. In Africa, one of the major challenges hotel investors experience is limited or lack of access to funding due to the high investment risk and low completion rate for hotels.” E
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