Hotels set to bounce back as calm returns, festive season beckons

Hoteliers in western Kenya and the Coast are confident of bouncing back after months of low business due to poll-related violence.

Hotel owners have suffered huge losses due to heightened political tensions and anti-Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) demonstrations during the electioneering period.

According to Lake Victoria Tourism Association chairman Dedan Olao, losses of over Sh800 million were incurred in western Kenya and Nyanza due to missed business opportunities.

PEACE
Mr Olao said the affected hotels are located in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Kakamega, Busia and Bungoma.

“We appeal to the government to solve the underlying issues. Let justice prevail as it will bring lasting peace for business to thrive in the country,” he said.

Western Kenya Hospitality Managers Association chairman Robinson Anyal said hoteliers are confident the sector will rejuvenate as the festive season nears.

“Business is slowly picking up after the political disruptions, with many inquiries for conference facilities and accommodation,” he said.

CHRISTMAS
June to December is usually a peak period for hoteliers, but political uncertainty has hurt the industry.

“November and December are usually the busiest months in the tourism calendar. People end the year with a lot of activities such as parties and conferences,” Mr Anyal said.

Ms Gladys Atieno, the assistant sales executive of Jumuia Hotel in Kisumu, said business will pick up, with normalcy resuming in the lakeside city.

“At the moment, I can say that there is little business going on but we hope to start receiving some of our loyal clients when the political situation stabilises,” Ms Atieno said.

ELECTION
At the same time, hoteliers said tourism in Malindi has hit its lowest ebb due to wrangles over the repeat presidential election.

Last month, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the October 26 poll.

But National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga rejected the results and called for fresh elections to be held within 90 days.

JOBS
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers’ Kilifi County chairman Philip Chai said tourism in Malindi is in the doldrums owing to a deadlock over the poll.

“In Malindi, hotels have been hit by an international tourist drought,” he said. He, however, expressed hope that the industry will improve next month if the dispute is addressed.

Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Allied Workers’ North Coast branch secretary Michael Yaa warned that thousands of jobs might be lost if tourism does not improve.