About 20 hotels at the coast have shut down operations due to the low business season that starts in April.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) through its Coast branch Chief Executive, Mr Sam Ikwaye told Weekend Business that most hotels are closing early this year due to low numbers.
He said some hotels in Malindi and Watamu closed in March but many will close at the end of this month.
“this phenomenon will see over 10,000 direct and indirect staff out of employment in the period,” Ikwaye said.
He added that the bad news is that most of the hotels and accommodation-related outfits and other service providers have indicated that unlike in the past when they resumed operations in July, they might delay opening until after the August polls.
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South Coast hotelier Vicram Korla said the peace and stability that Kenya is enjoying has endeared international travellers from key source markets to make more inquiries.
“Despite the low tourism season setting in early, we are seeing an increase in inquiries from the predominantly source markets such as the United Kingdom (UK) which has reviewed and relaxed earlier travel bans it had imposed on Kenya,” Korla said.
Ikwaye added that Mombasa will remain open for business due to a few conferences that it will host.
Cut costs
He explained that some hotels that remain open will have only essential operations as some services and sections will be closed. Previously, renovations were done during the low season, but over the past few years, hotels close for lack of business.
The low tourism season in Kenya would usually kick in after April and last until around the first week of August. Jobs are lost as hoteliers and tour companies cut costs.
There are calls for hotels to atleast consider giving staff allowances during the off peak season.
“Hotel workers have toiled hard and they are the cornerstone in any profits that an hotel gets. There should be a more humane way of sending them home as we wait for the season to pick,” Andrew Mwadime, a tour consultant based in Mombasa, said.
