KENYA: History of Hotel Industry in Kisumu

Kisumu hotel industry is historic and futuristic. The industry began more than a hundred years with four main hotels which until five years ago have dominated the market. The hotels are; Nyanza club, Sunset hotel, Kisumu hotel (formerly Royale) and Imperial hotel.
A historical choice of sorts for Kisumu hotels, the Nyanza Club has been a Kisumu fixture for almost 100 years, a one-time hangout for British civil servants who arrived to work the Kenya-Uganda Railway. If you like golf, then this is the Kisumu lodging choice for you, as the hotel has its own golf course. It might not be the world’s best course, but nonetheless, it offers a fun and challenging experience. There are single, double, and triple rooms available, and all are nice and comfortable for the price http://www.destination360.com
The Sunset Hotel is another top choice for Kisumu hotels, and it enjoys a nice location just 5 minutes from Kisumu’s city center. Nice views of Lake Victoria http://www.destination360.com
Kisumu Hotel is a project of Maseno University. It is as a training laboratory for the University’s hospitality students as well as generating little income for the University. The historic building, sporting the original snow white walls, houses 80 newly refurbished, spacious and luxurious guest rooms.
Kisumu Hotel is hosted on an historical building that was and once owned by the British colonialists in the early 19th century and formerly known as Royale, it has changed hands till the University bought and renovated it to the class it is in currently since the late 2004. It operates under Maseno University administration.www.africanspicesafaris.com

Current state of Hotel accommodation in Kisumu

As Kisumu has grown in size and population a large number of hotels have popped up en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisumu
Kisumu town is witnessing unprecedented growth in the hotel industry, with over ten facilities put up in the last five years.
The new hotels include Parkview Safari Hotel and Apartments, The Vic, Great Lakes, Le savanna, Royal City and Jumuia Guest Resort. (Mosota, 2013).
Royal City Hotel Kisumu is located in the famous odera road of Kisumu. It is an elegant place to explore Kisumu town.
Imperial Hotel is a renowned place that upholds traditional hospitality values despite changing of times. It is located on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Kiboko Bay Resort is a good place located twenty minutes drive from the airport. It is adjacent to the Dunga fishing Village and operates on a twenty four hour clock. And finally,
The Vic Hotel Kisumu is located along the Nairobi road in Kisumu and is one that seeks to offer classical services to travellers and tourists from Kenya and across the borders.www.citiestotravelto.com
In newspaper coverage, Mosota stated that the new facilities have created additional bed capacity of 300 rooms in the last five years which the industry players have attributed to high demand pushing for more supply. There is still need for more hotels and conference facilities.
Report from the regional ministry of tourism indicates that a majorly business is conferences with large group meetings requiring accommodation.
Mr. Ndubi the tourism officer said that there is need for investors to set up large conference facilities, hall which can accommodated more than 1500 people at ago and 3 star hotels with more than 200 rooms.
What is worrying is the bottom-line. A report from Kisumu Hotel Managers group Secretary General Mr. Tom Kevin indicates that in 2012 most hotels bed occupancy percentages were between 50%- 65%. This is below what the industry expects.