Most hotels in Masai Mara Game Reserve are recording heavy bookings as the annual tourism peak season takes off and US President Obama arrives in Kenya.
Hoteliers said virtually all lodges and camps will be fully booked in three weeks when about 1.8 million wildebeest would be crossing the Mara River within the Mara Triangle, adding that most visitors will be from UK and US.
“We have in the last three weeks been hosting groups of American businessmen and women who came ahead of their president for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. We expect those who didn’t come early to visit after the summit,” said Munene Kamau, manager Fairmont Mara Safari Club.
A media team comprising Kenya Tourism Board officials, local and foreign travel journalists had to cut short a trip to the Mara on Tuesday as hotels became reluctant to offer discounted rates and media-shy and security-conscious as visitors arrived.
Munene said all lodges and exclusive tented camps are recording above 85 per cent bookings, adding that between the first weeks of August to mid-September, occupancy could hit over 100 per cent.
In the last three weeks, there has been tight security from foreign personnel in all lodges and camps the, the hoteliers added. About 160, 000 wildebeests have already crossed from Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the park through the Sand River.
An estimated two million yet to cross the crocodile infested Mara River are now moving from North to West Serengeti before attempting the cross.
The reserve is teeming with hungry carnivores waiting to feast on the wildebeest. Though Obama’s programme is still kept a secret, hoteliers believe he will spend a night in the world-famed reserve before departing the country.
Among the lodges that have been hosting US tourists are Mahali Mzuri, an exclusive tented camp owned by Sir Richard Brandson, the proprietor of Virgin Atlantic and who has been in the country for the last three weeks.
Others are Mara Serena Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Serera Lodge, Basecamp Lodge where Obama spent a night when he visited the country in 2006.
Also cashing in are Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Governors Camp, Porini Camp, Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer Camps, Cottar Camp and Mpata Club.
Apart from hotels, curio dealers are happy that US and UK tourists are back, saying unlike those from Asia, mainly China who have in the recent years been flocking the Mara in large numbers, Americans are known to be good spenders. “We are delighted that they are back after a long absence.
Americans and Europeans are friendly and big spenders; they leave good money behind,” said John Kimani, the proprietor of a curio outlet along the Mai Mahiu-Sekenani Gate Road.
Steve Nzuki, the secretary of the Mara Managers Forum and who is also the general manager, Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer Camps says the US president visit will aid in giving the tourism sector that has been in the intensive care unit the boost it needs.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed that the visit will signal that Kenya is a favourable place to invest in. It will re-ignite interests of more tourists and investors from US and the west who have snubbed the country for about a decade,” said Nzuki.
Meanwhile, Coast hoteliers say the coming of US President Barrack Obama is good news to the country and tourism sector, which is now ushering in peak season. Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KHAC) executive officer, Mombasa branch, Sam Ikwaye, says the visit of a sitting US president is a good endorsement to the struggling tourism sector.
He said the spill over effects will definitely be felt by hotels in Mombasa since some of the visitors will likely want to visit national parks and some of the renowned sandy beaches such as Diani and the North Coast after the summit.
“Some hotels in the region had received inquiries by last weekend, which would boost stakeholders if they are translated into businesses,” he said.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort Food and Beverage manager Ken Mwichuli said the hotel has registered several bookings for conferences, which have been diverted from venues in Nairobi where they were previously scheduled to take place to Mombasa.
Conference organisers are avoiding massive traffic jams expected in Nairobi beginning today as Obama arrives. These include Kituo Cha Sheria conference, now rescheduled to Mombasa. “Conference tourism looks promising during the Obama visit since we have started receiving bookings and inquiries,” said Mwichuli.
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