Nairobi 2013: The Perfect Storm makes way for Nairobi 2014: Keep Your Nerve

One of the most important hotel markets in Africa, Nairobi suffered a turbulent 2013. Unsurprisingly, hotel performance across the city fell. However, a detailed analysis of the market paints a more positive picture.

The first few months of the year have been challenging for hoteliers with RevPAR down significantly. The recent increase in bombings has also led some tour operators to repatriate their guests and cancel all flights until October. What is needed is a period of calm to foster stronger confidence in the security in the country. Whilst it is easy to criticise over-reaction to events and sensationalist journalism, no-one will travel to a...

The first few months of the year have been challenging for hoteliers with RevPAR down significantly.
The recent increase in bombings has also led some tour operators to repatriate their guests and cancel all flights until October. What is needed is a period of calm to foster stronger confidence in the security in the country. Whilst it is easy to criticise over-reaction to events and sensationalist journalism, no-one will travel to a country or city in which they feel unsafe. Many of the recent events in Nairobi have centred around the Eastleigh area of the city; an area few tourists would visit. Yet at first glance the media reports suggest the whole of Nairobi is off limits. Of course, all visitors must take sensible precautions and heed advice from government and security sources, but now is a time for all parties to hold their nerve and continue to support the somewhat beleaguered Nairobi hotel industry.

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Development Africa Kenya Nairobi

Tim Smith MRICS is Managing Partner, HVS Cape Town. Tim graduated from De Montfort University with a degree in Estate Management and has worked for firms of chartered surveyors in London since 1995, specialising in the valuation and sale of hotels and all forms of leisure properties.

HVS is the world's leading consulting and services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 2,000 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe.

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