The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Friedrich Schaefer as the group’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. Schaefer will replace current Regional Director, Han Oldenburger, who will officially retire from the group in April 2013 after 21 years of outstanding service.
With many years of international hospitality industry experience in Germany, the USA, United Kingdom, Malta, and Ireland, Schaefer has worked on the African continent for the past four years.
Prior to his appointment at Carlson Rezidor, Friedrich Schaefer held the position of Area Manager of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, South Africa and was employed by the Hilton group for 10 years, with his last position at the company being the Area Manager of Hilton, Ireland.
“I am delighted to be joining such an exciting hospitality group and am honored to be taking over from such a respected hotelier as Han Oldenburger. The Sub-Saharan operations of Carlson Rezidor is currently expanding at a rapid pace and I look forward to the future with the company’s scheduled openings and interesting developments in Africa, in addition to leading such a dynamic team,” said Friedrich Schaefer.
Further to this appointment, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group regional office, which is currently based in Cape Town, will be relocating to Johannesburg in January 2013. Being physically positioned in the economic capital of South Africa, with its airport serving as the major hub for the African continent, the regional office will be ideally situated to accelerate Carlson Rezidor’s development on the African continent.
