FOREIGN INVESTMENT
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any renowned international hotel chains are making a grand entrance into Kenya’s hospitality sector, keen to be a part of the country’s boom in global tourism. International visitor numbers are rising at pace – tourist arrivals from the United States and the United Kingdom have grown by double digits in the past two years – and the thinking is that more globally recognised brands of quality will assure even more foreign visitors of the high standard and security of accommodation they can expect in Kenya. It will also heighten the level of competition in the hospitality sector, with top-quality service paramount as hotels bid to stand out. The 2018 hotels report by property consultants Knight Frank shows Kenya has 68 international hotel brands, more than Tanzania and Nigeria, with more striking examples under construction that will change the Nairobi skyline for ever.
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K en ya A ssoci ation of Hotelk eeper s & C ater er s
A key ongoing development is the 45-floor Hilton Garden Inn in Nairobi’s prestigious Upper Hill district. It is designed to be part of Pinnacle Tower, a 70-floor mixed-use development that is set to be Africa’s tallest building. The American luxury hotel chain JW Marriott will run the 35-floor hotel at the towering AVIC megacomplex in Westlands. It is expected to have 315 guest rooms and a 760 square metre ballroom and is due for completion by 2020. Multinationals Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Ritz Carlton have also that they want a bit of Kenya in their properties list. They will join established brands already in the country such as Serena Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Jacaranda Hotels, Sarova Hotels, Sentido Hotels & Resorts, Sun Africa Hotels, Heritage Hotels, Sopa Lodges and Kempinski.
International hotels moving to coast At the most recent Africa Hotel Investment Forum, held at the US-owned Radisson Blu in Nairobi’s Upper Hill, the Kenyan government announced plans to introduce a package of
Sandor Szmutko | Shutterstock.com
Kenya leads the way in global hotels
measures to incentivise international investment, including encouraging the development of hotel infrastructure and associated ‘entertainment’ such as restaurants, theme parks and cruises. The hope is that international hotels and companies can be encouraged to add to their portfolio in Kenya’s coastal resorts and provincial cities. Wherever these foreign-owned hotels are located in the country, you can be sure they will be populated with highly trained staff in key positions from Kenya, such is the nation’s reputation for service and welcome.