MOMBASA --
Conference business is looking up for PrideInn
Hotels as local corporate and international clients increase
frequency of strategy meetings to crank up revenues for this
year, writes Joseph Kubai.The Hotel has today
announced an increased uptake of its congress on the beach
products- where conference meetings take place on the beach and
swimming pools, annual meetings, annual seminars, gala dinners,
weddings and record team building bookings.
"Last year was not bad compared to 2017 which was severely
affected by politics and the long electioneering period.
"Many businesses are looking at scaling up by deploying
aggressive marketing strategies through seminars, gala dinners
and meetings.
"Business activities have been great over the past few days
as we begin the year," said PrideInn Hotels Group Managing
Director, Hasnain Noorani.
Conference tourism in Kenya revolves around service provision
to business travellers attending seminars, workshops,
conferences and conventions.
Conference tourism has emerged to be the fastest growing
segment of the modern tourism sector.
It has a higher financial impact because travellers spend
more than their leisure counterparts.
Often, their expenses are paid by the organizations they
represent, leaving the tourists with substantial disposable
incomes to spend.
"Business executives are also coming along with spouses and
children to boost leisure tourism, a trend seen to cushion its
Coastal business during the low tourism season.
"Bleisure is seen as beneficial to frequent travelers, it
helps frequent travelers to work efficiently, take stress out of
business travel and have time to revitalize," said Noorani.
During this low season, over 50 per cent of the bookings are
from people who come for executive trips and conferences enjoy
the luxurious hotel living with their spouses and children.
"We have guests who are here on business but usually extend a
day or two for leisure after they conclude their work," said
Hasnain.
Some executives who come alone for the business conferences
prefer being joined by their families after assignments and this
sees them staying all through the weekend.
Direct flight to Mombasa by Qatar airline will be a boost to
business and leisure concept at the coast which has been heavily
dependent on charter flights from Europe.
"We believe that the momentum is with us and that it can be
sustained in an era when global travelers are looking for
immersive experiences that leave them inedible memories of
extraordinary encounters," said Mr. Hasnain.
