Five-star Radisson Blu prepares for Nairobi debut

International hotel chain Radisson Blu has started hiring staff for its upcoming Kenyan unit in Nairobi’s Upper Hill in readiness for opening early next year.

The chain first announced plans to enter the Kenyan market in 2012 and had earlier set a target of starting operations in August this year.
“Carlson Rezidor will open its first hotel in Nairobi early 2015,” said the hotel management in a statement.

The Nairobi hotel, which has 271 rooms, is seeking staff for its human resource department, chief stewards, a purchasing manager, store supervisor, bar managers and pastry chef.
Radisson Blu Nairobi will feature a health club and a 600-square-metre ballroom for conferences. The hotel will also have an all-day restaurant and grill.

The presence of Radisson in Nairobi raises Kenya’s profile as a top investment destination and also increases hotel rooms available for leisure and business tourists.
Radisson will also launch Park Inn Nairobi , a business and leisure facility in late 2015, in addition to Park Inn Rwanda and Cape Town that were set to open this year.

Other hotels looking to open in Kenya over the next two years include easyHotels by Lonrho and Hilton Garden Inn, a budget accommodation by Hilton International.
Lonrho Group, which had established itself in Kenya’s hospitality industry with several iconic hotels, made a comeback in the market last year after a long absence.

Marriot, a five-star international hotel brand, intends to start operations in the country by 2015.
Marriot has said it plans to spend Sh127 billion ($1.5 billion) for investments in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Benin, Gabon, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Centara Hotels & Resorts by the billionaire Chirathivat family from Thailand also makes the list of investors eyeing a piece of Kenya’s hospitality industry at the Coast.

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KWS Branding Programme

The KWS Branding Programme began in the year 2005 and up to date about 20 National Parks & Reserves have been branded. For KWS branding has been about creating a unique identity for each park and improving public perception of the organization. The objectives of the branding programme have been to: increase revenue, improve the corporate image, Increase visitation, and enhance good relations with communities adjacent to protected areas and to improve staff welfare.
Branding activities include;
• Wildlife management- restocking/translocation and invasive species management
• Infrastructure- roads, buildings, gates, ablution blocks, fences and signage
• Tourism- bandas, guesthouses, picnic sites, camp sites and nature trails
• Community projects- education, water, health and enterprise
• Staff welfare-housing and recreational facilities
• Advertising & publicity- Media campaigns and exhibitions

Parks already branded
1. Lake Nakuru National Park – branded as a “Bird Watchers’ Paradise” on August 10, 2005
2. Amboseli National Park – branded as “Kilimanjaro Royal Court” on September 23, 2005
3. Tsavo West National Park – branded as “Land of Lava, Springs & Man-Eaters” on November 8, 2005
4. Tsavo East National Park – branded as the “Theatre of the Wild” on December 9, 2005
5. Aberdares National Park –branded as the “Majestic Peaks, Moorlands, Falls and so much more” on March 3, 2006
6. Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park – branded as “Home of the Dolphin and Coconut Crab” on April 27, 2006
7. Ruma National Park – branded as “Dramatic Valley of the Roan Antelope, Oribi and so much more” on September 22, 2006
8. Malindi Marine Park – branded as “Africa’s Oldest Marine Park, Magic Islands, Zebra Fish and so much more” on October 27, 2006
9. Watamu Marine Park – branded as “Haven for Green Turtle, Unique Coral Garden, Mida Creek and so much more” on October 27, 2006
10. Nairobi National Park – branded as “The World’s Only Wildlife Capital” on December 16, 2006:
11. Nairobi Safari Walk & Nairobi Animal Orphanage - branded as “Refuges of the Wild” on December 16, 2006
12. Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park - branded as the “ Ultimate Panoramic Experience” on June 21, 2007
13. Mt. Elgon National Park - branded as “Untamed Wilderness, Secluded Splendor” on March 15, 2007
14. Kakamega Forest National Reserve- branded as “Canopy of Natural Beauty” on September 27, 2007
15. Meru National Park – branded as “Complete Wilderness” on July 19, 2007:
16. Hells Gate National Park- branded as “A Walk on the Wild Side” on September 25, 2009
17. Mt Longonot National Park - branded as “Sheer Adventure” on September 25, 2009
18. Ndere Island National Park- branded as “The Island of Serenity and Beauty” on March 3, 2010
19. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary – branded as “A Lakeshore Walk With the Impalas” on March 4, 2010
20. Shimba hills National Reserve- branded as “Paradise of the Sable Antelope” on April 18, 2011
21. Mt Kenya National Park- branded as “Come touch the sky” on November 17, 2011
22. Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve- branded as “The allure of Kenya’s coast” on June 27, 2012

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