This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
Published on August 4, 2020, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced its intention to permanently close its Nairobi branch due to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 389-bed luxury hotel, strategically located next to Parliament Buildings and KICC inside the Central Business District (CBD), has been a staple in Kenya's tourism industry for over five decades.
However, the pandemic has taken a toll on the hotel's operations, forcing management to consider a permanent closure. In a notice to its staff, the hotel issued redundancy notices, citing the need to protect its global business for the long-term.
According to the notice, the hotel's management has set up communication channels to address any issues arising from the redundancy. The hotel has also provided each employee with a one-off care payment to help them navigate the financial pressure occasioned by the pandemic.
The hotel's closure is a significant blow to Kenya's tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Over 15 million Kenyans have been directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic and loss of business.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier announced a Sh2 billion stimulus package for the tourism and hospitality sector to cushion it from the harshness of the pandemic.
