Hoteliers in Nakuru are bracing for a significantly busy weekend as the effects of the visit by US President Barrack Obama trickle down to the inland holiday destination.
A majority of managers from different hotels within the Central Business District (CBD) and its outskirts have confirmed that they have been receiving unusually many bookings form earlier this week.
“Although it’s usual to receive many bookings over the weekend, this time round the bookings have been overwhelming with many of our expected customers coming from Nairobi,” James Mbugua, manager Hill Court Resort and SPA said.
Mbugua attributes this to a need by city dwellers to escape from the significant inconveniences associated with Obama’s three-day visit.
According to the proprietor of Legacy Hotel and Suite Silas Opondi, the inflow of people from Nairobi had heightened in the past two days.
“Our rooms are fully booked, we have been forced to initiate outdoor camping facilities and more family related games and activities so as to make our customers comfortable all through,” he said.
Major roads in Nairobi city are expected be closed to facilitate the movement of the US president and other diplomats.
Zion Bush Lodge manager Alice Kemunto says some of the visitors want to avoid the inconvenience of disruption of business.
“Many customers who booked at our facility wanted rooms that have operational internet services, this shows that many of them are not vacating Nairobi to have a peace of mind, most of them will be working online,” she noted.
Among major hotels that have received full booking are; Midland hotel, Bontana hotel, Hotel genevieve, Hotel Cathay, and Salama resort.
US president Barack Obama is expected in the country to attend the 16th Annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
He is also expected to give a public Speech at the Safaricom Kasarani stadium, open a Business block at Kenyatta University and meet diplomats at the United Nations Headquarters in Gigiri before leaving on Sunday.