Kisumu Hotel Industry Records Major Growth - kenyadetails

MORE than 10 hotels have been built in Kisumu county over the past five years. Kisumu Hotels Managers' Group chairman Robinson Anyal said the new trend has led to competition and improved services in the industry. He was speaking during the official opening of Kika Hotel in Milimani estate.

Kenya Sugar Board chief executive officer Rosemary Mkok and Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme national coordinator Franciscah Owuor attended the function.

Anyal said the springing up of more than to hotels in Kisumu in the last five years has affected the old players. He said some hotels have been forced to renovate while others have shut down. "This is positive as it will lead to improved services," Anyal said.

He said there is need to put up larger hotels with bigger conference facilities. Some of the new hotels include; Park View, Impala Eco-lodge, Sovereign, Royal City and Jumuia Resort.

Others are; Whilespring, Lesavanna, Miriam House, The Vic, Triple Trojan, Lake and Wood. Anyal said others are under construction. He said a shortage of industrial supplies has hit the hotel industry in Western Kenya.

Anyal said the Western Kenya tourism circuit relies on middlemen for supplies which are expensive. Mkok said Kisumu city has the capacity to hold several conferences because of improved services in the hotel industry.

"We were unable to do so because most hotels lacked capacity and standards to meet the market demand," she said. Kika Hotel director Grace Kika said the facility will employ more than 150 staff. "It will have internet services, car wash, swimming pool and round the clock security," she said.

Kika said the new hotels will address the need for more suppliers, which lacks in Nyanza region. She said that the Western Kenya Hospitality Leaders Conference will be held in Kisumu on November 5 and 6.