This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
As lockdown restrictions in key European markets begin to ease, star-rated hotels at the Kenyan Coast are gearing up to welcome back guests. With the easing of restrictions, hotels in the region have set re-opening dates, with some confirming they will welcome guests this week.
At the Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, Managing Director Bobby Kamani confirmed that the hotel will reopen its doors to guests on Friday. The hotel has undergone refurbishments and upgrades during the lockdown period, with Kamani stating that they have used the time to 'carry out refurbishments and upgrades to the property.'
Enquiries from regular hotel guests, who are long-stay clients, have been received, with some wanting to check in on August 1. To ensure the safety of guests and staff, the hotel has taken all necessary steps as prescribed by the Health Ministry to prevent Covid-19 infections.
According to Kamani, 'as long as every Kenyan and visitors to this magnificent country remains individually responsible by taking all necessary precautions and as long as the hospitality industry strictly adheres to protocols already in place by Health Ministry, tourism can once again thrive in Kenya.'
The Baobab Beach Resort in the South will also reopen its doors to guests on August 1, according to General Manager Silvester Mbandi. Mbandi stated that the hotel has been working on finalising all standard operating procedures and protocols.
Plaza Beach Hotel in Mombasa County has announced that it has tested all its hotel workers prior to opening later in the week. General Manager Denis Gwaro stated that after certifying all staff are free of Covid-19, they will train them on new operating procedures to align with set standards in a post-Covid-19 era.
The reopening of hotels brings hope not just for economic recovery across the country but for needed holidays, according to Dr Sam Ikwaye, Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch. The announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that local flights can start operations this week, followed by international flights next month, is welcome news to the hospitality industry.
