By Wachira Mwangi
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers boss Sam
Ikwaye said the hospitality industry was under threat.
"We need to sit down with the officials from the
ministries of Health and Tourism to chart a way forward for the industry. The
entire 2020 was a wasted year and 2021 is no better," Dr Ikwaye said,
while accusing policymakers in the government of turning a blind eye to their plight.
"We are requesting policymakers to relax the Covid-19
guidelines in order to save the sector,"he said. His sentiments were
echoed by Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels Limited General Manager Joseph Ndunda,
who said the Covid-19 rules were harsh on the hospitality industry.
"Other sectors are operating normally. There is no
social distancing in the trains even in the economy class same as supermarkets
and malls," Mr Ndunda said. He called on the government to support the
industry.
Severin Sea Lodge General Manager Tuva Mwahunga said about
2, 400 hotel workers had already received their first Covid-19 jabs with hopes
to vaccinate the rest soon.
"From November last year, there has been no single
Covid-19 case that has been traced back to our hotels. This tells you that
hotels are doing everything by the book," Mr Mwahunga said.
Dr Ikwaye said the industry had projected a 70 to 80 per
cent bed occupancy rate for the last quarter of the year, but this was now
impossible.
"Our projections were that come August 1, we would be
welcoming clients. We had very good projections for the fourth quarter of the
year unlike in April when we lost business during Easter due to a surge in
Covid-19 numbers," he said.
Facing challenges
"With the recent directives by the Tourism Cabinet
Secretary Najib Balala, we are now facing challenges," Dr Ikwaye said
during a press conference at Mombasa Beach Hotel, adding that hotels in the
region immediately experienced cancellations following the new guidelines
announced by the CS.
"Tourism, travel and hospitality establishments shall
ensure tourists and guests wear appropriate, quality personal protective
equipment except when in their room, dining or in private with physical
distancing in a hotel garden or at the beach," Mr Balala in a press
briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday last week.
Restaurants and eateries serving tourists have been directed
to operate in strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
Some of the new rules the CS introduced include staff being
issued with valid digital QR codes signifying vaccination, guests not being
allowed to serve themselves and use of electronic menus.
Original article on Nation