MARRIOTT International said on Thursday that it planned to spend R3bn on five new hotels in SA as the company looks to tap into Africa’s growing middle class.Marriott, which last month won the final clearance to buy rival Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, said three of the hotels would be built in Cape Town, while two are already under construction in Johannesburg."Africa is particularly important to Marriott International’s expansion strategy because of the continent’s rapid economic growth, expanding middle class and youth population," Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson said in a statement.The owner of up-market chains such as Ritz Carlton and Sheraton says the developments will lift its number of hotels on the continent to just over 200, with more than 27,000 rooms.The five hotels are expected to create 8,000 building-related jobs while under construction and over 700 long-term hospitality jobs, Marriott said.Marriott is already Africa’s biggest hotel operator, having bought leading...

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