SA hotel chain acquires Holiday Inn

Other investors such as Sankara in Westlands, Simba Group on Waiyaki Way and Red Court are also expected to open up new hotels in the city.

Tourism has been on a recovery path following the post-election violence of 2008 and the global financial crisis that hit the sector hard.

Tourist arrivals released by Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) for 2010 show that the sector will surpass its 2007 peak numbers, the industry’s best performing year.

Sector players are optimistic that tourist numbers this year will be the best ever recorded with earnings expected to be positive.

“All things being equal, this year should see a record performance and set the stage for a fresh growth trajectory similar to the period between 2003 and 2007, seeing that the arrivals have overtaken the 2007 benchmark year,” said Jake Grieves-Cook, KTB chairman, in a previous interview.

Players have in the past two years invested heavily in reassuring tourists that Kenya is safe and have rolled out extensive marketing campaigns in the source and new markets.