Otto Stehlik is the founder and Chairman of Protea Hotels operating approximately 130 high quality hotels in 13 African countries.

After its recent merger with the Australasian 'Stella Hospitality Group' the Protea Hospitality Group now ranks amongst the World's Top 10 in terms of numbers of hotels operated by the consolidated group.

Born and raised in Austria, he trained at the Hotel & Tourism College in Vienna. He gained practical experience in the hotel industry by working with Intercontinental in Vienna, the Hyde Park Hotel and the Royal Garden Hotel in London. He and his wife emigrated to South Africa in 1970 where he started as a Receptionist in the brand new 5 Star Heerengracht Hotel, climbed through the ranks, was appointed Marketing Director in 1974, and Managing Director in 1977.

In 1984 he assembled a team of young, enthusiastic and passionate individuals and started Protea Hotels without a cent of capital. The core-concept was to 'Take-over hotels which could do better if they were Managed and Marketed better and then to Manage and Market them better.

Protea Hotels is two-time winner of the World Travel Awards Best Hotel Group in Africa and a three-time winner of the Sunday Times/Markinor Business to Business best Brand Award.

Protea's Vision To be Africa's No. 1 Hotel Operating Company

Protea's Core Business To manage and market hotels, on behalf of OWNERS, for a fee, either in terms of a management agreement or a franchise agreement.

Quote from Otto Stehlik: "Nobody will ever judge Protea by the speed of our growth or the size of the group, but only by the quality of our operation and the quality of our relationship with our STAKEHOLDERS".