Elite World Hotels & Resorts, one of Turkiye’s leading hotel chains, has chosen Ivory Coast as the location for its first international hotel.
The announcement was made during the signing ceremony of the Elite World Grand Yamoussoukro in the presence of dignitaries from the Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Economy and Development and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as business leaders from both countries.
The new hotel, Elite World Grand Yamoussoukro, will be the first Turkish hotel in West Africa, representing a major step in the company’s nearly 50-year history of hospitality. It will operate under Elite World’s luxury brand and feature 300 rooms, two à la carte restaurants, an open buffet restaurant, a casino, a lobby bar, a convention center, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and an aqua park, making it the city’s largest hotel in terms of capacity.
Additionally, the hotel will boast the largest convention center in the city and an auditorium capable of accommodating 3,500 people, positioning it as a prime location for major regional events. The construction of the hotel, set on a 100-acre site, is scheduled to start within six months, with plans to welcome its first guests by June 2026.
Elite World intends to bring Turkish cuisine to Ivory Coast, including a project that promotes Van breakfast as a cultural and gastronomic value to the world. This initiative will continue at the Elite World Grand Yamoussoukro, further enhancing the hotel’s appeal with authentic Turkish flavors and services.
Emel Elik Bezaroğlu, Chairman of the Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Elite World Hotels & Resorts, emphasized Africa’s untapped tourism potential. “We are thrilled to be launching our first hotel abroad in the Ivory Coast, a jewel of Africa. This venture is part of our broader strategy to not only expand geographically but to tap into emerging tourism markets,” Bezaroğlu stated.
Orkun Petekçi, CEO of Elite World Hotels & Resorts, reflected on the importance of this milestone. “2024 marks a pivotal year as we introduce our accommodation experience to another continent. We are also exploring hotel projects in different cities, considering the tourism potential of the region. Our international expansion plans include entering markets like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, aiming to reach 50 hotels by 2030,” said Petekçi.
