Hotels in Maasai Mara close due to lack of business

NAROK, KENYA: Some tented camps in Maasai Mara Game Reserve have closed while other hotels have sent their workers on unpaid leave due to lack of business.

The closed establishments that mainly operate during the July-October peak season inside the park and within conservancies in the reserve closed last weekend, reportedly due to lack of visitors.

An exclusive tented camp in the park, associated with a wealthy Greek family that had been closed before Christmas weekend due to low visitors arrivals has not re-opened, a survey has shown.

Because of winter in US and Europe that has forced foreign tourists to delay their departure, the low season is expected to start next month. Visitors, mostly locals are expected back in April during the Easter holidays.

Few hotels, mainly popular and exclusive lodges and tented camps that are still in business, according to their proprietors are currently recording between 20 per cent and 26 per cent business volume down from between 85 and 97 per cent during the Christmas and New holidays.

"Compared to other years, we have started this year with depressed activities. The business volume has dipped from 97 per cent to 20 per cent currently. If the situation persists we will be forced to operate with a lean core staff," said Stephen Mpaayei, the Keekorok Lodge manager.

He said the business focus before Easter is unpredictable, adding that the unit will receive few visitors from US, Europe and Asia next month.

Steve Nzuki, the General Manager of Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer tented camps said yesterday that though arrivals are low, he expects business volume to peak from 26 per cent currently to 30 per cent before the end of the month.

"We decided to close because it could have been uneconomical for us to continue operating without tourists. We will open when business returns, albeit briefly in April," said an assistant manager of a 22 bed capacity camp on the western side of the reserve.

Hot air balloon companies are studying the market trends with intentions to cut costs through sending their non-core workers on compulsory leave until business improves.

"We will decide what to do after the current bookings are over," said a pilot of a company that operates within eastern and western side of the reserve who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak for the company.

Joseph Sindiyo, the Narok County Masai Mara Senior Warden says though the game reserve is still a preferred safari destination in the world, arrivals have been dismal for the better part of last year due to insecurity in some parts of the country and Ebola outbreak in West Africa. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000147587/kenya-told-to-diversify-its-tourism-products