Treetops Hotel lights beacon to celebrate Queen’s diamond jubilee

By MARION NDUNG’U

Nyeri County

Kenya joined the world in celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee with a beacon lighting ceremony at the prestigious Treetops Hotel in Nyeri.

The Monday night ceremony coincided with a similar occasion at Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom.

Tourists and other invited guests thronged the historic hotel located inside the Aberdare National Park.

It was at the hotel where the Queen ascended to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952.

About 4,150 beacons were lit in Britain and all Commonwealth countries.

The ceremony was presided over by the British High commission and the Ministry of Tourism.

The beacon was lit by the head of communication at the British High Commission Mr John Bradshaw who represented the newly appointed envoy Christian Turner.

International journalists were at Treetops Hotel to cover the event.

Aberdare Safari Hotels Chairman James Waibochi said the facility had already undergone a facelift.

Special bond

“Although it is in the same spot where the Queen ascended to the throne. We have carried out major renovations to befit the status of a hotel in upmarket Nairobi,” said Mr Waibochi.

He said the Queen’s family shares a special bond with the hotel and visit the place.

“We hope this special bond will boost our tourism and the hotel has a special place in history,” he said.

Tourism assistant minister Cecily Mbarire called on the tourism association to identify all sites and attractions in the region that are associated with the Queen’s visit to Kenya.

In a speech read on the assistant minister’s behalf by the regional tourism commissioner Isaac Kirinya, Ms Mbarire said United Kingdom formed a crucial part of Kenya’s tourism sector.

“The UK market continues to be the top tourist market for Kenya the figures have gone up by 16 per cent last year,” she said.

Kenya is a popular royal destination with Lake Rutundu in Mount Kenya being the place where Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 during a fishing expedition.

The 125-hectare Jubilee forest was started by Prince Edward on a visit to Treetops.