Oltepesi bar, Enashipai Hotel. Photo/COURTESY
In Summary
Last week, Enashipai Hotel and Spa organised a fashion show that featured well-known models and designers.
By MACHARIA MWANGI
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Hotel operators in Naivasha are adopting new strategies to attract customers and boost business.
Last week, Enashipai Hotel and Spa organised a fashion show that featured well-known models and designers.
The hotel also used the opportunity to showcase Entumo, their new conference centre. In the Maa language entumo means a meeting room. This one has a capacity of 600 people.
“It is one of the many strategies we have adopted to market our hotel and woo tourists. The proceeds will be given to charitable organisations around Naivasha,” said marketing director Elizabeth Wanjeri Mahiti.
Supermodel Ajuma Nasenyana and Miss Kenya 2011 Susan Anyango are some of models who graced the catwalk.
“This is more than fashion. It is about raising money for charities in Naivasha and participating in programmes that will benefit the communities,” Ms Mahiti said.
The fashion show is one of the marketing strategies members of the hotel industry are relying on to win patrons as the number of hotels continues to increase.
A hotel operator said during the tourism low season, most establishments are hoping to make money from hosting conferences. Pool side parties are are also becoming common.
According to Nakuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Njuguna Kamau, what is happening is not unhealthy competition but an attempt to attract and retain customers.
Saying Naivasha is a up-and-oming commercial hub, he cited the recent ranking of the town by the International Congresses and Convection Association which placed it at position 34 in Africa.
“This mean Naivasha town has potential to grow,” he said.
It was the first time Naivasha was appearing in the ICCA rankings, making it an important emerging destination in Kenya. Nairobi was ranked 100th best city destination globally and the second-best in Africa after Cape Town.
Nairobi hosted 22 international conferences in 2012. Mombasa and Naivasha hosted two conferences each while Embu, Nakuru and Eldoret hosted one conference each. Nairobi moved up four places from position 104 the previous year.
Kenya was 58th best country destinations for international conferences globally and second best in Africa after South Africa.
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