This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23rd, 2020, luxury boutique hotel chain Hemingways Collection reopened its Nairobi and Watamu properties, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to revive the tourism sector.
According to Alastair Addison, the group's Chief Executive Officer, the hotels will operate fully, offering rooms, restaurant services, Spa, and other amenities in line with government COVID-19 directives.
However, the group's Ol Seki property in Narok county will remain closed until further notice.
Notably, Hemingways has chosen to retain all 400 employees, a move that reflects the company's commitment to its staff during these challenging times.
As part of the government's efforts to support the tourism sector, the ban on meetings held in private hotels has been temporarily lifted, and plans are underway to provide soft loans to hotels through the Tourism Finance Corporation.
Earlier this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a KSh2 billion stimulus package for the hospitality sector, which has experienced a significant dip in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
