City hotels packed ahead of Obama’s visit
Hotels in the Nairobi and Mount Kenya tourism circuits are enjoying brisk business thanks to US President Barack Obama’s historic visit.
President Obama will land in Nairobi on Friday and is expected to open the Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Nairobi Serena Hotel General Manager Daniel Kang’u said President Obama’s visit is a major boost to Kenyan tourism.
Following news of the US president’s forthcoming tour, Mr Kang’u said, his hotel has been packed to capacity since Monday.
He said 70 per cent of the hotel’s guests are business people while the rest are leisure visitors.
HUGE BOOST
Jacaranda Hotels Chief Executive Officer Killian Lugwe said President Obama’s visit is a huge boost to both tourism and investment in Nairobi.
Mr Lugwe explained that the Jacaranda Hotel in Nairobi is fully booked from Friday to next Tuesday.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) national chairman Jaideep Vohra said the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is a positive event for Nairobi’s hotel industry.
The KAHC boss added that the summit had boosted tourism in Nairobi with most hotels recording high occupancy.
KAHC Mount Kenya region chairman Ronnie Kithinji said hotel bookings had improved following the announcement of President Obama’s visit.
He added that some visitors who have arrived in Nairobi for the entrepreneurship summit have been flocking to the Mount Kenya region for game drives.
KAHC Coast executive officer Sam Ikwaye said the US leader’s visit would help revive the country’s tourism sector.
“President Obama’s visit is an indicator that Kenya is safe for travel, business and investments,” he said.