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Hospitality sector in Western Kenya is gearing up for a two-day annual investment conference to review industry performance.  

The November 12 and 13 forum in Kisumu and is expected to attract over 200 participants from the Lake Region Economic Bloc of 14 counties.  

Western Kenya Tourism Circuit comprises Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Nandi and Trans Nzoia counties.

Hotel managers and owners, directors, industry suppliers and county government representatives will grace the 5th annual conference themed, Managing Hospitality Growth beyond the Handshake. 

Other delegates expected are regional hospitality leaders, officials from the Presidential Service Delivery Unit and financial experts who will make presentations on hotel investments.

Western Kenya Hospitality Leaders’ Association chairman, Robinson Anyal, says the conference will review existing gaps in the hospitality industry within the region and take note of this years’ achievements.  Suppliers will use the platform to showcase some of the new products that have entered the market.

“We will also be taking stock on the state of our hotels, rooms capacity, new hotel entrances, position of the sector business, how to expand and what the industry’s future looks like,” Anyal told TravelWise.

Conference participants will also discuss investment opportunities and challenges and how they could be collectively addressed. “The participants will also examine how tourism could be part of the President’s agenda in improving the economy,” he says.

During last year’s event, poor packaging of travel products and inadequate marketing were identified as major setbacks.  

Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) chairman Mohammed Hersi challenged hotel mangers to make region more visible and competitive.