Kenyan hospitality outlets scooped at least 20 awards at the just concluded World Travel Awards 2022 held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) last week. According to the organisers, the awards, now in their 29th year, “acknowledge reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries”.
As a start, Kenya topped as ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ while Nairobi, the ‘green city under the sun claimed the prize as ‘Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination’. The awards venue, KICC, was voted as ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre.
We take a look at other local outlets that hoisted Kenya’s hospitality flag high on the African continent.
In the air...
Kenya Airways
It was a big night for the national carrier, Kenya Airways, as it emerged as ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ as well as leading in the business class category. In addition, the airline was voted as ‘Africa’s Leading Airline Brand 2022’. On the other hand, Jambojet, a subsidiary of the national carrier was voted as ‘Africa’s Leading Low-cost Airline’.
On land....
Sirai House
This is one of the most exclusive destinations in Africa, tucked at the highest point within the 35,000-acre Borana Conservancy in northern Kenya. Sirai is Maasai for the euphorbia tree, but that is not what makes the house tick. It was once described by UK’s Sunday Times as one of the world’s most exclusive locations where admission may not have much to do with your deep pockets but with the depth of your character. Picking a tab amounting to more than Sh1 million for an evening at Sirai is fair game. No wonder it was voted as ‘Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa’.
Fairmont the Norfolk and Mount Kenya Safari Club
One of the oldest hotels in Kenya almost closed shop during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But resilience seems to be the hallmark of the hotel that has in the past survived a terrorist bomb, among the first casualties of such cruel acts. Like the proverbial Phoenix, it rose from the bombing to reclaim its place in history. It has risen again after the Covid scare to become ‘Africa’s Leading City Hotel’. Its cousin, Mount Kenya Safari Club was voted as ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’.
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