Festive season breathes new life into hotels
What you need to know:
- The hoteliers further attributed the demand to their improved services as well as expansion of facilities.
- “It is also worth noting that security scares in western Kenya are low compared to other circuits that compete with us,” he stated.
- He said that there were numerous value addition strategies that have already started driving up the tourism business.
Hotels in western Kenya are recording brisk business ahead of Christmas festivities.
Managers say they have received more bookings this season than ever before.
The Western Kenya Hotel Managers Association, in a statement to the Nation Monday, said bookings have surpassed 70 per cent compared to 50 per cent at the same time last year.
Chairman Robinson Anyal said domestic tourism has tripled with those travelling up country comprising a good portion of the numbers.
He added that county governments, of which Kisumu Town serves as a key hub, have received bookings for conferences all the way to mid-January.
“The trend over the years has always seen a slump during the festivities. This year is unique in the sense that we have most hotels full all the way to January when we normally record low business,” Mr Anyal said.
The hoteliers further attributed the demand to their improved services as well as expansion of facilities.
“It is also worth noting that security scares in western Kenya are low compared to other circuits that compete with us,” he stated.
SECURITY LAWS
Mr Anyal, however, said they were concerned about the politics triggered by the recently passed security laws.
“These are not good signs for the industry. Any form of political stand-offs have always affected our business and the one looming over the security laws may reverse these gains,” he said.
Mr Phelix Obuya, chief executive of Western Circuit Tourism Association Kenya, said the region was ripe for tours and travels with its heavily marketed sites.
He said that there were numerous value addition strategies that have already started driving up the tourism business.
“We now have activities in Lake Victoria which had not been exploited for a long time. New attractions as well as restocked national parks and reserves can now be sampled in the region during the festive season,” Mr Obuya told the Nation by telephone.
This follows the launch of a floating restaurant in the lake, and sustained flights operated by four airlines on the Kisumu route.
Additional hotels have mushroomed to serve the growing interests among the tourists to explore the region.
This comes in the wake of security scares in the Coast region, which has, for decades, been the destination of choice for many local and foreign tourists.
