Kenyan hotels, resorts scoop top travel awards

The Kenyan hospitality industry shone at the 22nd World Travel Awards held last month in Seychelles.

The country has been slated in the top 10 by W Hospitality in the number of entrants to the local hospitality industry in its report on Hotel Chain Development Pipeline.

The Kenya Tourism Board took home the award of Africa’s leading tourist board in the event that hosted about 200 industry members in the Indian Ocean region.

“Tonight has been a fantastic showcase of hospitality brands from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. We have recognised some industry leading brands and it is a pleasure to honour our winners here at Kempinski Seychelles Resort,” said World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke at the awards.

Kenya has seen an influx of luxury properties in its market targeting business and wealthy travellers locally and from abroad.

Cruise ships

Mombasa was voted the leading cruise port in the country after showing recovery from insecurity and piracy that had left the key port off the cruise ships circuit as visitors opted for South Africa instead. This is a positive sign for the coastal tourism sector that has been hardest hit by the decline in tourism numbers.

Struggling carrier Kenya Airways has the leading business class in the airline industry on the continent, flying past competitors in its category that included the Ethiopian and South African airlines.

Diani Beach is Africa’s leading beach destination with Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa topping the spa resort categories.

Masai Mara, one of the wonders of the world, continues to be a lead attraction not just for the country but also the continent as it emerged a favourite in the leading national reserves for the continent.

Going green and being ecologically sustainable seem to be the trend in recent year with hotels and lodges getting recognition for their efforts to preserve the environment. Sanctuary Olonana and Nairobi Serena took top honours in the leading eco-lodge and green hotel categories respectively.

Country wide awards

The awards also recognised countrywide achievements, picking outfits that were voted top in various categories against their local competitors.

InterContinental Nairobi got the award for the leading business hotel in Kenya. In addition to the leading green award, Nairobi Serena was also the leading hotel in the country. However, Kempinski Hotels was the leading hotel brand in the country. Kempinski currently manage two properties in the country – Villa Rosa in Nairobi and the Olare in the Mara.

The hotel chain also saw its presidential suite, which was a topic of major conversation during this year’s Valentine’s Day for its night of diamonds, voted as the best hotel suite in the country. A night at the Kempinski suite will set you back Sh1.4 million.

Palacina The Residence and The Suites took the hotel residences category award.

Boutique hotel

Other categories recognised at the WTAs for the top tourism facilities in Kenya included the leading resort which was awarded to Kinondo Kwetu, a luxury boutique hotel in Galu, Diani. Leading safari camp brand Porini Camps also won the Africa-wide category for the same.

Enashipai Resort in Naivasha was the leading spa resort, Encounter Mara was the top tented safari camp while newly re-opened Finch Hattons was the leading safari lodge.

When it came to travel, Avis Kenya was the top car rental company and Fly540 was the go-to domestic safari carrier. Hemingways expeditions was the leading inbound tour operator while Carlson Wagonlit Travel took two categories; travel agency and travel management company.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

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