In Summary
Former US President Barack Obama’s visit to western Kenya on
Monday has seen a boost to the Lake Victoria region's hospitality and
business sectors.
A week before his arrival, top hotels in Kisumu were already flooded with international visitors.
Acacia
Premium Hotel, Sovereign Hotel, Imperial Hotel Imperial Express and Eco
Lodge are some of the facilities whose managers said are benefitting
from the trip.
According Kisumu County Executive
Committee Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sports, Achie Alai, flights coming
into Kisumu International Airport were fully booked.
“As
from Friday last week most flights coming into Kisumu International
Airport were booked. Considering this is a high profile visit, most of
the high end hotels we have in Kisumu are booked,” said Ms Alai.
Western
Kenya Hospitality Leaders Association chairman, Robinson Anyal, said
President Obama’s visit will give a major boost to the tourism sector in
Kisumu and Siaya Counties.
“We have recorded high
number of international tourists over the weekend in the selected hotels
in Kisumu. The organisers of the event had made arrangements for their
stay here,” said Mr Anyal.
He added that the event has opened up the lake region's tourism sector to the international market.
All roads lead to K’Ogelo
Pauline
Jones, a tourist from Germany, said she had to visit Hippo Point in
Kisumu and other tourist sites before heading to K’Ogelo.
“It
feels great to be here. To visit the land associated with the ancestral
heritage of President Obama. It is amazing that he comes back to his
roots. I think people are proud of him that he came back,” said Ms
Jones.
Siaya County was not behind considering Mr Obama
was to officiate the inauguration of the Sauti Kuu Sports and Vocation
Centre which is ran by his half-sister Dr Auma’s Sauti Kuu Foundation.
Some
of the hotels fully booked with guests include White House Resort,
Distinction Garden Resorts, Pride Hotel, Juliana Country Resort, Lake
View Resort Crystal Charlotte and other hotels.
“For
the past two weeks guests have been streaming in. Our hotels in the
county are fully booked. We are working closely with the Kenya Tourism
Board to showcase and market the new tourist attractions site in the
county,” said Siaya County Director for Tourism, Culture, Arts and
Sports Elizabeth Oduor.
She was optimistic that those
coming to Siaya would return to their homes with more knowledge about
the Luo people, customs and their history.
“Each year
we celebrate our identity as a community through the annual Got Ramogi
Festival which displays the rich Luo culture. Therefore, President
Obama’s visit is quite timely for guests to understand the history of
the Luo community,” she explained.
Nicholas Rajula, who
owns White House Resort (former Kogelo Village Resort) said: “We thank
God that our son will be coming back home. This will be a good business
opportunity. I am looking forward to partner with investor to expend the
business to accommodate more visitor planning to come in K’Ogelo in
future.”
Merchandise traders
Traders
and artists were also cashing in by selling caps, calendars, tags,
t-shirts, shirts and other items bearing Mr Obama's image.
For
artist Joachim Ndalo, the visit is a blessing as he cashes on his
drawings of the former US president among other famous world leaders.
“I
have three categories of paints ranging from extra-large, medium and
small portraits with different cost. Obviously the status in the society
also determines the cost of his images,” he said.
John Otieno, trader in K’Ogelo said the business is picking up with excitement of Mr Obama's arrival.
"Many
people are buying the t-shirts, calendars and tags. We are selling
T-shirt at rates of Ksh800 to Ksh1,000 ($8-10)," said Mr Otieno.
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