- The two leader noted that the organisers of the summit have reserved some of the best hotels in Western Kenya for the more than 6,000 guests from across the globe.
- Speaking when they met Kisumu based hoteliers and Tour operators, they said preparations were complete for the event slated for May17 to 21.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Delegates to the 9th Africities summit will get the highest standards of hospitality, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Devolution PS Julius Korir have said.
The two leaders said the organisers of the summit have reserved some of the best hotels in Western Kenya for the more than 6,000 guests from across the globe.
Speaking when they met Kisumu-based hoteliers and tour operators at the Mama Grace Onyango social centre, the leaders said preparations were complete for the event slated for May 17 to May 21.
“We are ready to host one of the best Africities ever. Our hospitality is equal to none. We are excited to be the first intermediary city in Africa to hold the summit,” Nyong’o said.
He added, “We are working closely with our three partners— the UCLGA Secretariat, the Ministry of Devolution and the County Government of Kisumu.”
During the meeting, the hoteliers and the tour operators promised to offer the best services to the guests and resolved to report anyone who will attempt to exploit the delegates through exorbitant fees.
This resolution came amid claims that some of the hoteliers were hoarding rooms to charge exorbitant rates.
Korir said the government was closely monitoring the situation and would take action against any hotel found hoarding rooms or over-charging the guests.
“We might be forced to bring in other government agencies such the Competitions Authority and the Tourism Regulatory Authority should the complaints continue,” Korir said.
He added, “Most of the hotels are doing a good job and are well prepared to host our guests but we will not allow a few individuals to spoil the name of Kisumu and Kenya.”
The PS asked international firms that got contracts for catering, transport and other services during the summit to ensure they work closely with local hotels and tour operators.
“We must accommodate local companies and service providers so that they can also appreciate the importance of Africities,” he added.
Nyong’o said Kisumu will never be the same again after hosting the Africities.
“I want to appeal to the hoteliers and other service providers to give a good impression to the guests because we are building Kisumu as a destination of choice for tourism and hospitality,” the governor said.
He added, “This is the beginning of a journey. Let’s build Kisumu as a brand. Let us only charge the recommended rates for the hotel rooms and excursions.”
Lake Victoria Tourism Association chairman Charles Kataro assured the governor and the PS that they will do their best during the summit.
“We are happy to be incorporated into the summit’s service delivery consortium.
The Kenya Tourism Regulatory Authority Western Kenya manager Lilian Ayimba said they had inspected the accredited hotels and were satisfied with their preparations.
Ayimba asked the hotels to stick to the code of conduct to avoid punitive measures.
“We don’t want situations where some hotels will be asked to explain a few hard questions concerning the way they handled their guests,” she said.
Kisumu County’s Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture and Sports Achie Alai said individuals with home stay facilities and furnished apartments had been given a chance to register and host the delegates, so long as their premises fell within a radius of 45 minutes’ drive to the summit village in Mamboleo.
-Edited by SKanyara