While one door closes, another opens: Hilton Group announces four new hotels in development

Hilton's commitment to the country remains steadfast, with another four new hotels in the pipeline and multiple other hotel projects under review, according to a statement from Hilton. 

The country's four hotels across the country continue to welcome guests, a Hilton spokesperson said. 

Earlier this week, "The Mercury" reported that Durban will no longer play host to a Hilton Hotel, a premier name in hospitality and business travel, after the company that owns the CBD hotel cut ties with the Hilton group.  

The owners of the property, African American Properties Hotel Pty, cut management ties with the Hilton group this month, a development that has sent shockwaves through the region's tourism sector. 

The Hilton Hotel had been closed for several years following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it only recently started operating again.

The group says South Africa’s appeal as a global travel destination continues to create exciting growth, and it looks forward to building its portfolio further.

“Despite our continued efforts to maintain a constructive partnership, the management agreement between Hilton and African American Properties Hotel Pty - a subsidiary of the Bin Otaiba Hotel Group and the owning company of Hilton Durban - came to an end on 5 February 2026.

"As a result, the property no longer operates under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand and is no longer part of the Hilton portfolio,” reads the group’s statement. 

“While this closure concludes nearly three decades of Hilton’s presence at this landmark property, it does not diminish the exceptional legacy of hospitality delivered there. We extend our sincere appreciation to the team members for their unwavering dedication and service.

Last month, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said Durban recorded its strongest festive tourism performance in years, with visitor numbers, spending, and job creation all rising sharply during the 2025/2026 holiday period, signalling a decisive recovery for the city’s tourism sector.

Speaking at the Mayoral Tourism Editors’ engagement luncheon last month, Xaba said the season marked a turning point after several difficult years for the city, particularly following infrastructure challenges and the devastating 2022 floods.

“With the owner now assuming control of the property, Hilton is unfortunately unable to assist with existing bookings at the property. We appreciate that this will be frustrating to guests, but this exceptional circumstance is outside of our control.

“Any questions regarding existing bookings, the hotel, or its team members, whom the owner employs, should be redirected to African American Properties Hotel Pty,” says the Hilton group. 

The Hilton group's portfolio in South Africa features four key properties as of early 2026.

The active portfolio includes the Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayston (opened 2025), Hilton Garden Inn Umhlanga Arch (KwaZulu-Natal), DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town - Upper Eastside, and Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof (opened 2025). 

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced that international tourist arrivals reached a record 10 million in 2025.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said South Africa had achieved a major milestone, with about 10.5 million international tourists visiting the country between January and December 2025, the highest number on record and above pre-Covid-19 levels.

He described the achievement as a vote of confidence in South Africa as a global tourism destination and a sector with strong growth potential.

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