The government of Kenya has temporarily lifted the ban on meetings held in private hotels, a move that seeks to support Tourism promotion and the hospitality sector at large.
Additionally, the government has also waived landing and parking fees at Kenyan airports in order to enhance the movement of cargo in and out of the country.
“Tourism is one of the hardest-hit sectors in the economy. This is caused by the massive cancellation of hotel bookings. The resulting effect has been an increased job and income loss,” KBC quotes Treasury CS, Ukur Yatani.
Plans are also underway for the government to provide hotel refurbishment through soft loans to be channelled via the Tourism Finance Corporation. For the 2020/21 budget, the Tourism Promotion Fund was allocated KSh2.5 billion.
Speaking during this year’s Madaraka Day Celebrations, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Kenya’s hospitality sector would receive a KSh2 billion stimulus package, seeking to cushion the industry from the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic that has seen a dip in its revenues.
Fairmont already closed its Norfolk and Mara Safari Club hotels, and fired all the employees due to the pandemic. The hotel cited the current impact of the virus on travel and the uncertainty as reasons behind the closure. The termination was effective on 5th June 2020.
Elsewhere, Serena announced the closure of some of its establishments as from 27th March 2020, and further directed that as from June 2020, all staff will take unpaid leave until further notice.
Kempinski has also issued a notice of redundancies to its staff as it restructures amid COVID-19. A memo reveals that the hotel is readjusting its staff base to achieve lean and agile teams for the period. Villa Rosa and Olare Mara Kempinski will consolidate teams and positions in order to maintain proper cost structures.
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