This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, star-rated hotels in Mombasa County have announced their reopening dates. The hotels have been closed for three months, resulting in significant losses for the industry.
The Pride Inn Group of Hotels has announced that its five-star resort, Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre and Spa, will reopen on July 15. The hotel has taken all necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment for guests and staff, as outlined by the Health Ministry.
Flamingo by Pride Inn Resort is set to reopen on August 1, after undergoing upgrades during the closure period. Victor Shitakah, General Manager for Coast and Chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA), stated that hotels have conformed to the set regulations and are ready to open for business under the new normal.
Other hotels that have indicated their willingness to reopen include the Heritage Hotel Coast flagship resort and Voyager Beach Hotel. Heritage Hotel Group Operations Manager, Mr. Wasike Wasike, stated that they have made several changes to their standard operating procedures in accordance with the Health Ministry's rules.
Ms. Janet Chamia, Director of JacyJoka Apartments, a three-star boutique hotel in Nyali's upmarket area, stated that they are putting final touches at the premises before opening up later in the new month. She expressed hope that the government stimulus package earmarked for the industry's revival will be channeled in time to help give the much-needed impetus to hotels.
According to Najib Balala, Tourism Cabinet Secretary, the sector lost Sh80 billion since the breakout of Covid-19 in December last year. He attributed this massive drop to the grounding of the aviation sector, which is the largest contributor to tourism.
