High-end Hotels Close over Coronavirus

A number of Hotels in major cities in Kenya have halted operations due to travel restrictions and social distancing rules introduced by the government to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Leading on the list are The Tribe Hotel, Ole Sereni and DusitD2, who announced the closure in different notices.

“In light of the ongoing global travel restrictions, our management and board have consulted on the most appropriate measures to consolidate poor hospitality operations until the situation stabilizes,” said Tribe Hotel in a notice issued Sunday, March 22, evening.

The decision to suspend operations at Tribe from March 23, 2020 paving way for a number of renovations and upgrades.

Ole Sereni Group -which operates two hotels along Mombasa Road- said: “We have made the tough decision to suspend operations at Emara Ole Sereni and Ole Sereni effective March 24, 2020, until further notice.”

The untimely shut down has attracted job cuts and unpaid leave for workers as the hotels remain closed until further notice.

In this period of the year hotels in the coastal region register 75% occupancy, which has come down to less than 10% this year.

Travel restrictions on foreigners coming into Kenya have left the tourism industry, which brought in Sh163.56 billion last year, counting losses.

Bars and nightclubs have been shut down while restaurants are only allowed to operate takeaway services, deepening loss in the hotel industry.

Villa Rosa Kempinski among other hotels that have not shut down, have limited business to room service with only a few staff and have cut off services including spa and gym.

“In light of the evolving Covid-19 situation, some of the hotel’s restaurants will be closed and some facilities may have limited service,” said Villa Rosa Kempinski to its guests.

While Mombasa relies heavily on tourism, nine cruise ships have since canceled plans to dock at the Port of Mombasa slowing down the economy of the region.