Global hotel chains set to open business doors in Kenya

Nairobi-Serena-Hotel
Nairobi-Serena-Hotel
Avatar of Dmytro Makarov
Written by Dmytro Makarov

International class hotel chains are expected to enter the Kenyan tourism market, taking advantage of the growth and increasing number of domestic and international tourists visiting Kenyan wildlife parks and the Indian Ocean coast beaches.

Reports from the Kenyan capital Nairobi said a total of 13 hotels are expected to open their doors in Kenya during the next four years.

Kenyaโ€™s growing economy and demand for bed space are major attractions to global hotel chains looking to enter Kenyan tourism market by 2021 through hotel investments.

International hotel chains expected to enter the Kenyan tourism and business markets with additional units are Radisson and Marriott brands.

Other global chains looking to capture the Kenyan hotel investment opportunities are Sheraton, Ramada, Hilton and Mรถvenpick. Hilton Garden Inn are in the final stages of completion, and Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport has opened.

Growth in domestic tourism, increasing number of tourists calling in Kenya, strong economic environment and a series of incentives introduced by the government are the major attractions pulling hotel investors to enter the Kenyan safari market.

The incentives which Kenyan government had introduced in tourism industry including elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on park fees, removal of visa fees for children as well as the reduction in park fees by Kenya Wildlife Service.

Come October this year, the International hotel investors and accommodation establishments from Africa and outside the continent will gather in Nairobi for the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF).

The three-day hotel investment conference is expected to bring together global hospitality investors, financiers, management companies and accommodation establishments consultants.

Kenyan tourism Minister Mr. Najib Balala said last month that the AHIF attracts the kind of people with influence and resources to make a destination successful.

โ€œAt AHIF, we will be making a compelling case for investment in the hospitality sector across Kenya. Nairobi is already the established business hub of East Africa but there is so much more potential in our country,โ€ Mr. Balala was quoted saying.

The main event of the AHIF will feature a number of inspection visits to several development projects around in Kenya, targeting to exhibit the countryโ€™s wide-ranging tourism potential and highlighting investment opportunities available.

Kenyan government had recently announced plans to introduce incentives, especially in land ownership as to attract international investment in the development of hotels.

Standing the leading safari destination in East Africa, Kenya is expected to accelerate tourism growth in the region after launching the Kenya Airways direct, daily flights to the United States in October this year.

About the author

Avatar of Dmytro Makarov

Dmytro Makarov

Share to...