SA firm takes over Holiday Inn

Southern Sun Mayfair hotel is set to take over Nairobi’s Holiday Inn on Sunday.

The new owner says it will undertake major rehabilitation of conference facilities to attract more business tourists after re-branding.

Speaking during press briefing, Southern Sun general manager, Mr Paul Norman said the change over cost “in excess of Sh80 million” and much more will be used in rehabilitation of the facilities.

He said the current lease ends on July 31, adding the hotel group will from August 1, change ownership and name to Southern Sun Mayfair Nairobi.

“Going forward there is need to improve physical facilities. We will be paying attention to conference rooms which will receive a big make over,” he said.

He said the hotel will join the group’s expanding portfolio of over 90 properties that are located in West Africa, Southern Africa, Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

Southern Sun will be managed as a four star deluxe hotel, similar to their hotels in South Africa, Maputo, Lusaka, Lagos and Dubai.

“There is great synergy between these hotels. In particular corporate travellers frequent these destinations. All of them understand the demands of the business traveller,” said Mr Norman.

Kenya Tourist Board managing director, Mr Murithi Ndegwa said the business tourists category was increasing in the country and it was important to improve facilities that target them.

“If you check statistics from January to June, we have surpassed the numbers for 2007, which is the base year. The numbers are on the upward trend and the business tourists have increased,” he said.

Tourism suffered a major setback in 2008 following the violence that broke out after the disputed presidential election results held in December 2007.

The sector has, however, been on recovery path.