Hotel chain eyes tented camps, lodges in conservancies

Pride Inn Hotels is eyeing investments into national parks as it seeks to grow its footprints in the next five years.

Group Managing Director Hasnain Noorani said they are looking for opportunities within nature conservancies to invest in luxurious tented camps or lodges. “As we aspire to grow our presence in the country, we are also keen to set camp within some idyllic parks. This will largely depend on the availability of opportunities in these areas,” he said.

He was speaking recently at the Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort in Shanzu, Mombasa recently.

The hotelier said they are ready to take up wholly or managerial work in properties in their new expansion drive.

Mr Noorani said April holiday and Easter booking occupancies no stand at over 90 per cent. Noorani, who is also the chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourism Working Group noted that Pride Inn Group is looking at adding 10 new properties to its growing number of hotels.

He observed that domestic tourism was picking up, adding that interest by foreign tourists was also increasing.

“When we pitched camp at the recently concluded ITB tourism fair in Berlin, Germany, there was considerable interest in destination Kenya by tour operators and tourists alike. This is a clear indication of Kenya’s popularity as a long haul destination of choice,” he said.

Noorani said that they have seen tremendous growth in the number of domestic tourists arriving at the Coast via the Standard Gauge Railway and low-cost carriers.