This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
Kenya's Wilson Airport Renovation Urged Amid Tourism Boom ¶
As Kenya prepares for a tourism boom ahead of the festive season, hoteliers are urging the government to renovate Wilson Airport, citing its poor state and bad reputation as a major concern for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
According to stakeholders in the hospitality sector, the airport's condition is a major blow to sales in the sector, with the travel advice issued by the United Kingdom (UK) directing its citizens to avoid using planes taking off and landing at the Nairobi-based airport spelling doom for hotels.
Players in the hospitality sector, led by Hasnain Noorani, Managing Director (MD) for PrideInn Group of Hotels, have decried the state and bad reputation of Wilson International Airport, which they say is in need of serious attention.
‘The airport, which is mainly used for domestic and regional flights as well as charters, is in need of serious attention. We are concerned about its state following several incidents. We earn from accommodating and transferring guests from the Kenyan airports. Should they not be looked at, this will hurt our business through a severe decrease in bed occupancies within Nairobi city,’ Noorani said while addressing journalists in Nairobi on Thursday, November 21.
Stakeholders in the hospitality sector say their sales are likely to drop with a greater margin if Wilson Airport is not improved. Photo: UGC.
Passenger traffic at Wilson Airport, according to the hoteliers, rose by 27.8% to an all-time high of 528,000 passengers in 2017, from 413,146 in 2016. Traffic to the airport, one of the busiest in Africa and Kenya’s second busiest, has increased by 53% to 100,000 in 2017 from 65,000 in 2008.
Farzana Zahir, Sales and Marketing Director PrideInn Hotels, said the developments came at a time the country was expecting a tourism boom ahead of the festive season thus need for speedy restoration.
‘The high tourist season has already begun and Wilson Airport may be overwhelmed with the increased number of carriers plying the region. It’s better they speed up renovations to ensure smooth operations for our guests and tourists,’ said Zahir.
