The Perfect Storm of Developments Gathering in Kenya’s Sprawling Hotel Industry
Kenya’s hotel capacity is expanding at a rate that supersedes expectations. The addition of over 2400 guest rooms under 13 new hotel projects will be rolled out within the next five years. This is bound to raise the rate of guestroom expansion from 18,000 to 21,000 by 2021. This expansion is propelled by the tailwinds of the ever-flourishing tourism industry, which has been supercharged by the increasing number of incoming flights, decreasing park fees, as well as a blooming economy that’s becoming more attractive to expats. Guest nights are also expected to bludgeon to an all-time-best 4.1-percent increase, leaping from 3.6 million guest nights in 2016 to 4.4 million guest nights by 2021.
The multinational hotel brands leading the exhilarating expansion of hotel frontiers currently underway in the country include Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, and Marriott.
How the Government is playing a key role in the Breathtaking Expansion of the Hotel Industry
The Kenyan government has long been known to court international investors to fund developments for the high-end hotel markets, especially in tourist hubs that are currently experiencing a shortfall of hotel accommodation. It has successfully used the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which is hosted in Nairobi, to elicit greater interest in Kenyan hotels from international investors. The AHIF is a leading-edge hotel investment conference that brings together hotel chain giants, hotel management companies, financiers, and other key players of the hotel industry. Together with other sponsors like Hilton, City Blue Hotels, Marriott International, and Wyndham Worldwide, the government used the AHIF as a platform to launch a new bid for funds from holidaymakers in the country. The government is also eager to develop its coastlines, canvassing for deals with hotel brands to develop 5-star hotels along the coastlines. If they succeed, the country will become even more attractive as a premium tourist destination.
Some of the Hotel Developments Marshaling the Expansion of the Hotel Industry in Kenya
Lazizi Premiere Hotel, Nairobi
Developed by Sarovar Hotels and Resorts, a hotel chain originating from India, this is a 144-room premier development situated along the Airport South Road, close to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It furnishes guests with three conference rooms, a coffee shop, a bar, a swimming pool, spa, and gym.
Four Points by Sheraton, Nairobi
This is the product of Marriott International’s first outing in the Kenyan market. Situated in an upmarket area near the Nairobi city center, it provides a rich collection of facilities including 96 rooms, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and a 790 multipurpose space. It also provides free bottled water in rooms and free Wifi around the premises.
Mombasa Beach Hotel
This is a massive renovation project currently undertaken by the Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels on the government-owned Mombasa Beach Hotel. The project will bring about the remodeling of the 151 rooms, 8 conference rooms, as well as public areas such as the seafront.
Park Inn: In addition to being located close to the UN local headquarters and buildings of many international businesses, this 140-room development is strategically situated in a location that allows for easy movement in and out of the city. It features an Attic rooftop bar, a Live-Inn restaurant bar, a fitness center, as well as free Wifi around the premises.