Economy

Bankrupt Sunset Hotel to turn into conference centre

hotel

State-owned Sunset Hotel in Kisumu. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Plans are under way to put up an international conference centre in Kisumu as the government targets a slice of revenue from global meetings.

The centre, which is planned to host as many as 10,000 people at a go is to be constructed on a plot of land on State-owned Sunset Hotel.

Speaking on Monday during a courtesy call at Governor Anyang Nyong’o’s office, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said the centre will open up more tourism opportunities.

“This is part of the measures to revamp Sunset Hotel. Instead of renovating Sunset Hotel we have chosen to build the conference centre. It should be up by 2021,” said Mr Balala.

“With the set up of the conference facility, I foresee demand in home stays, taxi services and the entertainment industry.”

Mr Balala said the ministry had set aside Sh300 million for the project.

Last year the 40 year-old hotel was declared bankrupt after suffering Sh117 million losses as at the end of June 2017.