- Most high-end hotels in Kisumu on Thursday said they have high expectations with most of the recording increased bookings.
Image: DICKENS WASONGA
Various hotels and tour operators in Kisumu have readied themselves long Easter weekend.
Most high-end hotels in Kisumu on Thursday said they have high expectations with most of the recording increased bookings.
The management of Milimani Beach Hotel told the Star that the Easter holidays had started on a good note for them.
"This Easter holidays are starting on a high note. Here at Milimani beach resort, Dunga bookings have started streaming in," said the hotel manager Maurice Lusambili.
He said the hotel has worked out special accommodation rates and a whole lot of spoils from the food and beverage section.
"We look forward to a busy Easter weekend," he said.
At Acacia Premier Hotel, the facility plan to give its clients a good experience this Easter according to Sales and marketing manager Pauline Anyona.
"We have special choma platters and a live band for good Friday dinner and a special choma buffet lunch on Sunday with live music at our rooftop bar," she said.
" We also have special packages for accommodation with offers for 1 night, 2 nights and 3 nights. We already have started receiving bookings and are looking forward to a very busy Easter," she said.
To celebrate Easter in style, clients who for accommodation at Ciala Resort will enjoy attractive rates.
According to business manager Collins Otieno, those on full board will enjoy exclusive complimentary excursions and scenic nature walks.
"Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to create unforgettable memories," he said.
He however noted that the demonstrations had a huge negative impact on the industry and they do not expect the influx they usually get on past Easter holidays.
"Remember the demos were called off only recently, schools are in session and the tough economic times are being witnessed. But now that things have cooled down a bit we are hoping to increase bookings as the days go by," he said.
He said the industry is eager to cash in on the Easter holidays so that hotels can be able to compensate for the business lost in the past weeks.
" We are foreseeing a stable and conducive business environment which will enable us to get an increased volume of business and also enable us to recover on the lost revenues and build customers' confidence," he said.
Lake Victoria Tourism Association, in partnership with other stakeholders in the industry on Thursday, disclosed that it will be hosting a Fish fiesta at Hippo point beach.
The fish fiesta event will boost cultural and cruise tourism around Lake Victoria.
According to the association chairman Robinson Anyal, the event will be a celebration of Easter in style for local and domestic tourists.
He said various activities have been lined up, including cruising on the Lake with a water bus and boat-race competitions.
"We will also have fashion shows and talk shows," he said.
"Kisumu is known for fish and other local cuisines and this event is meant to position our destination with our unique dish," he said.
The event runs from April 7th to 9th and the CS for Tourism is expected to officially launch it.
According to Nelson Miguna General Manager at Royal City Hotel, the positive trends of occupancy since the demonstrations were stopped is an indicator that business would thrive for the hoteliers over the Easter holidays.
" During the demonstrations, we barely reached 20% occupancy. After the call-off, we are scaling past 35% occupancy. With the planned events in Kisumu over the weekend, we project over 50% occupancy levels in most of our hotels," he said.
Peter Ayuko who is General Manager at, Best Western Kisumu, said bookings for Easter weekend were already flowing in and there is hope the this Easter weekend will bring back hopes for the hotel industry in the region.
"At Best Western, we have given 20% discount on our accommodation rack rates in addition to a special menu with live music and kids activities for the entire period," he said.
He said now that Kisumu is calm, they expect to do good business during these festivities.