Kenya to create one million jobs annually by 2016
Dr Songa says the jobs will be created mainly in the leather, agro-processing, furniture, metal fabrication and other trades in the informal sector adding that the Ministry is currently laying the foundation to support this, which should be achieved by the year 2016.
Kisumu Hotel Industry Records Major Growth
MORE than 10 hotels have been built in Kisumu county over the past five years. Kisumu Hotels Managers' Group chairman Robinson Anyal said the new trend has led to competition and improved services in the industry. He was speaking during the official opening of Kika Hotel in Milimani estate.
Kenya Sugar Board chief executive officer Rosemary Mkok and Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme national coordinator Franciscah Owuor attended the function.
Anyal said the springing up of more than to hotels in Kisumu in the last five years has affected the old players. He said some hotels have been forced to renovate while others have shut down. "This is positive as it will lead to improved services," Anyal said.
Global hotel chains invest millions in Kenya’s hospitality industry
Hotel brands such as Kempinski, Emaar, Radisson Blu, Marriot, Park Inn Hilton and Lonrho have plans in place to construct hotels in Nairobi as Kenya positions itself as the financial, travel, and business hub of the East and Central African region.
Analysts have said that this is an indication of confidence in the growing hospitality sector in Kenya as international investors seek a slice of the action.
“It is a very good thing to the industry. As a country, we are in a position to attract foreign direct investments,” said Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers CEO Mike Macharia, during the recent Africa Hotel Investment Forum held in Nairobi.
Top global hotel chains eye East African market
A number of global hotel chains are planning to venture into the East African market in the next three years, hoping to tap into the growing number of tourists visiting the region.
Top executives attending a conference in Nairobi last week said they had lined up several investments in the coming months in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. They are hoping to cash in on the growing demand for accommodation and conference facilities in the region.
Managers of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, a US hotel chain, said they planned to open six hotels in Kenya and Tanzania in the next three years under the Sheraton franchise.
