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Hyatt upbeat about MICE, corporate demand growth
Nairobi has in the last three years hosted several global meetings, boosting business for top hospitality service providers due to increased bookings by business travellers.
US global hospitality chain Hyatt Hotels is upbeat about growth in the Kenyan market buoyed by strong demand for corporate and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) business.
The chain on Wednesday opened its Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, marking the brand debut in Kenya.
“We are particularly seeing demand from the corporate and MICE segment which is usually the core business of city centre hotels,” Igor Jovovic, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands said.
Nairobi has in the last three years hosted several global meetings, boosting business for top hospitality service providers due to increased bookings by business travellers.
The Tourism Ministry expects Kenya’s visitor arrivals to hit a record 2.5 million in 2024 on a bullish run in the first three quarters of the year.
“For the year 2023, we closed at just about 2 million visitors. In 2024, if you look at quarter by quarter, we are on the right trajectory, doing slightly better than in 2023. We hope to close at least 2.4 million visitors, which would be the highest ever in Kenya’s history” Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said in a media interview in December.
The Kenyan hospitality industry is currently posting growth amid a recovery in tourism and conference visits, with notable increases in greenfield as well as operator and acquisition deals.
Stephen Ansell, Hyatt Managing Director for Middle East and Africa, said that the chain would tap into the travel demand for growth.
“We are thrilled to debut in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in Hyatt's growth in the African market. It underscores our commitment to expanding into sought-after destinations,” he said.
Hyatt Regency Westlands enters a market that includes rival hotels such as Villa Rosa Kempinski, Hemingways Nairobi, Serena, Fairmont The Norfolk, and Radisson Blu Upper Hill.