03 Apr CityBlue Hotels adopts AI-powered operations in partnership with UK firm Inntelo AI

CityBlue Hotels has partnered with UK-based Inntelo AI to deploy artificial intelligence (AI)-driven concierge systems across its portfolio, in a move aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the continent’s hospitality sector.

The announcement is one of the first large-scale implementations of AI-native concierge agents within African hospitality. The rollout is expected to position CityBlue Hotels at the forefront of technology-led innovation in the industry.

Operating in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, with planned expansions into Ghana, Uganda and Zambia, alongside strategic partnerships in South Africa and Mozambique, CityBlue’s adoption of AI comes amid continued growth in Africa’s tourism market.

Under the partnership, Inntelo AI’s platform will be integrated directly into hotel operations, enabling real-time coordination of guest interactions and service workflows. The system is designed to improve response times, prioritise tasks more effectively and deliver consistent service across multiple locations, while allowing staff to focus on face-to-face guest engagement.

Alongside the technology rollout, the collaboration will also support the development of educational programmes to advance skills, innovation and AI adoption across Africa’s hospitality industry.

“CityBlue has always been focused on where our markets are going. As we scale, AI-native operations become essential to delivering consistency, speed, and quality across multiple geographies.

“This partnership allows us to embed AI at the core of how we operate—supporting our teams in real time, reducing friction, and elevating the guest experience across every property. Just as importantly, we are shaping how AI is applied within an African context,” said Jameel Verjee.

Asif Alidina added: “CityBlue Hotels is exactly the kind of operator that defines where the industry is heading. Their focus on AI-native operations and scalable systems makes them a natural partner.

“Together, we are deploying technology that is purpose-built for hospitality—combining conversational and agentic AI to support teams, enhance guest experiences, and set a new standard for modern hotel operations in Africa.”