This archive report was first published on 31 July 2020.
As international flights prepare to resume on August 1, hotel bookings in Kenya have shown a significant rebound, according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
According to a survey by the CBK, forward bookings for August, September, and October are at 7%, 17%, and 18% respectively, indicating a change of fortunes for the hotel sector, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge noted that 60% of surveyed hotels expect to be open when international air travel resumes next week, as the sector looks to make up for lost revenues that led to lay-offs and salary cuts.
“Key to note is that they are getting forward looking bookings. These bookings, however, await confirmations and depend on the re-opening of international travel,” said Dr. Njoroge.
He added that some hoteliers are optimistic about the return of local and foreign tourists, with forward bookings for September and October expected to hit a high of 56%.
International flights were suspended in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, leading to a significant decline in hotel occupancy rates, which fell from 44% in January to 24% in March.
However, with the easing of restrictions and the return of local travel, hotel occupancy rates have shown a slight improvement, rising to 51% in February.
With international flights set to resume on August 1, hoteliers are hopeful that the rebound in bookings will continue, leading to a recovery in the hotel sector.
