Hoteliers back KICC, Bomas merger plan

The Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) in Nairobi.

Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group

By  Elizabeth Kivuva

Hoteliers have welcomed the proposal to merge the management of the country's iconic conference

centres at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and Bomas of Kenya, saying this will help them iron out management issues and improve their marketability for events.

The National Treasury recently announced the plans as part of the post-Covid recovery strategies mooted to revive the tourism and hospitality sectors, which have been the worst hit locally by the pandemic.

Last week, data from the Tourism Research Institute revealed that the sector had made Sh37 billion in the 10-months to October 2020, which is equivalent to just 26 percent of its projected revenue of Sh147.5 billion for the period.

"It’s a strategic move. We support the merger for professionalism and convergence tourism,” said Mark Ogendi, the chairman of Kenya Utalii College Alumni Association.

By combining the facilities, the management can bid for larger meetings, and work with other state owned service providers to offer more competitive rates for meeting organisers.