16 new hotels planned for this year push bed count to 2,956
More than 10 firms have in the past one year completed or announced entry into the local hospitality industry. PHOTO | FILE
Sixteen new hotels are set to be put up in Kenya this year raising the country’s bed count to 2,956 units, according to a report by W Hospitality Group.
The anticipated new rooms are nearly double those that were in the pipeline last year as global brands continue to set up shop in the region.
Kenya went up two spots on the number of hotels and rooms in the pipeline, overtaking Ethiopia which has in the past two years seen the entry of more hospitality industry investors than Kenya.
The number of planned hotel rooms in Africa has soared to 64,000 in 365 hotels, up almost 30 per cent on the previous year, according to new figures from the annual W Hospitality Group Hotel Chain Development Pipeline Survey.
“The evidence from our survey is clear — investors remain confident about the future of the hospitality industry on the continent,” said Said Trevor Ward, W Hospitality Group managing director.
“Even when pummelled daily by low commodity prices, exchange rate problems, political challenges and poor infrastructure, Africa remains resilient.” Last year the report indicated that the eight hotels in the pipeline in Kenya would boost bed space by 1,510 units.
More than 10 firms have in the past one year completed or announced entry into the local hospitality industry, growing the bed space by hundreds of units.
This month, electronics distribution firm Mitsumi unveiled its Sh2.5 billion hotel in Westlands, a first for the firm. Louvre Hotels Group will manage the 94-room hotel named Golden Tulip as Mitsumi seeks to cash in on the growing hospitality business in the country.
Mitsumi also announced intentions to open other hotels as well as buy an existing outfit from a brand that is exiting the market.
Last month, JW Marriott Hotel signed an agreement with Chinese firm Avic to run the latter’s hotel in the Sh10 billion headquarters in Westlands. Tune will open its doors at the same time as Park Inn run by Radisson.
Other upcoming hotels in Nairobi include Hilton Garden Inn, Ramada, Mövenpick Hotel, and Four Points by Sheraton.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
