At a Glance
- Fontis Hospitality Group launches in Uganda, boosting East Africa’s fast-growing tourism and hotel market.
- Award-winning global expertise set to elevate Uganda’s hospitality standards and attract new investors.
- Expansion plan targets East Africa with branded hotels, lodges, and white-label management solutions.
Fontis Hospitality Group, a fast-rising player in Africa’s hospitality and tourism sector, has officially launched operations in Uganda, aiming to elevate one of East Africa’s fastest-growing travel markets with global expertise and award-winning management practices.
Global leaders driving growth
The group was co-founded by Barry Clemens, CEO of HospitalityEQ, and Kim Gyeong, owner of Uganda Canvas and the acclaimed Fontis Residences Hotel.
Clemens brings over 35 years of international hospitality consulting experience, having led multiple award-winning tourism projects across Africa.
He was recognized among the Top 100 Global Most Influential Hospitality Leaders in 2019, while his consultancy has been named Africa’s Leading Hospitality and Tourism Consultancy three years in a row.
Gyeong’s Fontis Residences Hotel continues to top guest satisfaction rankings on global booking platforms, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for service excellence and design innovation.
Uganda’s tourism market on the rise
Backed by infrastructure investments and rising visitor arrivals, Uganda’s hospitality industry is positioned for rapid expansion.
Fontis sees a window of opportunity to deliver value to investors, property developers, and hotel owners.
“Our mission is to raise Uganda’s hospitality standards by blending international best practices with profitable operational models,” Clemens said. “We are not just managing hotels—we are building sustainable hospitality assets.”
Gyeong added: “What we achieved with Fontis Residences can be replicated across Uganda and East Africa, driving consistent guest satisfaction and higher investor returns.”
Services and investment support
Fontis Hospitality Group is entering the market with three product lines designed for hotel owners and developers: Consultancy & Advisory: Feasibility studies, strategy, budgeting, operational audits, and funding access.
Branded Hotels & Lodges: Full franchise opportunities under the Fontis brand. White Label Management: A “by Fontis” model allowing owners to retain branding while leveraging expert management.
The group also connects viable projects with financial institutions and investment partners, unlocking capital for hospitality growth.
Regional expansion plans
While launching in Uganda, Fontis is setting its sights on East Africa’s booming hospitality sector, with ambitions to expand across the continent through hotels, resorts, lodges, and serviced residences.
