Kenya’s hotel market declined during the past two years, falling 6.6% in 2012 and an additional 2.6% in 2013 as travellers avoided East Africa’s biggest economy, a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
Concerns about terrorism led several countries including the US and the UK, to issue travel alerts that discouraged people from visiting Kenya. According to the report, Hospitality Outlook: 2014-2018, the number of available rooms in Kenya is however projected to increase from 17,500 in 2013 to 19,400 in 2018 with a growth in the average room rate from $155 (Sh13,000) in 2013 to $163 (Sh14,000) in 2018. Total room revenue is expected to expand by 2.5% compounded annually, rising to $668 million (Sh58.5 billion) in 2018 from $589 million (Sh50 billion) in 2013.
But this could be shaken by the current insecurity situation being experienced in Kenya, fuelled by terror attacks by Al Shabaab. The capital Nairobi, its second biggest city Mombasa and towns in North Easter close to the Somalia border have been targets of recent grenade attacks, which have forced some key markets to issue traveling warnings.
Meanwhile, the hotel market in Nigeria grew 9% in 2013, which was the smallest gain since 2010.Stay unit nights increased 6.3% in 2013 and have grown faster than room availability over the past three years. Nigeria’s economy is booming, buoyed in part by regional and international investment. Hotel room revenue rose 59% between 2009 and 2013.
Average room rates have grown slowly in the last two years, rising by only 2.5% in 2013. The number of hotel rooms is expected to triple during the next five years, rising from 8 400 in 2013 to 24 000 in 2018. Overall hotel room revenue is also anticipated to expand at a 22.6% compound annual rate to $1.1 billion in 2018 from $413 million in 2013.
Mauritius competes with the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles for the tropical tourist market. The average hotel room in Mauritius costs €170; 2.7 times higher than average rates in South Africa and 28% higher than South Africa’s average five-star room rate. Due to the number of renovations and projects taking place in the industry, the number of available hotel rooms is expected to increase at a 2.9% compound annual rate to 14 250 in 2018. The average occupancy rate will edge down from 63.3% in 2013 to 61.5% in 2018.
Despite South Africa’s economy facing headwinds, the hospitality sector is poised for further growth in the next five years in the wake of a number of inbound travellers into the African continent, according to a report issued by PwC. “Although South Africa’s economy has weakened, growth in international travel and tourism and rising room rates have bolstered the hospitality sector,” says Nikki Forster, PwC Leader of Hospitality and Gaming.
PwC’s 4th edition of the ‘Hospitality Outlook: 2014-2018’ projects that by the year 2018 the overall occupancy rate across all sectors in South Africa will increase, rising to an estimated 58.4%. Total room revenue is expected to reach R28.7 billion in 2018, a 10.7% compound annual increase from 2013. “Occupancy rates are expected to increase for hotels over the next five years, overtaking guest houses, bush lodges and guest farms to again become the leading category,” says Forster. Occupancy rates for hotels are projected to increase from 58.9% in 2013 to 71.1% in 2018.
The report, as it were, features information about hotel accommodation in Nigeria, Mauritius and Kenya. Accommodation sectors in South Africa consist of hotels, guest houses and guest farms, game lodges, caravan sites, camping sites and other overnight accommodation. For the first time the report includes a detailed analysis of the cruise industry in South Africa. “One of the most significant developments in 2013 in the South African hospitality industry was the rise in average room rates, which increased 8.4%, well above the 5.9% rate of inflation,” says Forster.
Despite the recent economic uncertainty, the total number of foreign overnight visitors to South Africa rose 3.9% in 2013, down from the 10.2% increase in 2012, but still reflecting continued growth in foreign travel to South Africa. Foreign travel to South Africa was boosted in early 2013 by the African Cup of Nations football tournament and in December following the death of the late President Nelson Mandela, which led to an increase in the number of visitors to Robben Island where he spent many years in jail.
“The continued depreciation of the Rand is also credited with contributing to the growth in foreign tourism by making South Africa a less expensive country to visit,” adds Forster. South Africans are also tightening their belts when it comes to luxury holidays abroad and turning to local travel as an alternative. The total number of travellers in South Africa is projected to reach 17.6 million.
Hotel accommodation
In 2013 overall spending on rooms in South Africa in all categories rose 14% to R17.3 billion, reflecting an increase in stay unit nights and an 8.4% rise in the average room rate. The pick-up in hotel occupancy rates has stimulated new activity in the industry, with a number of major hotel chains in the process of upgrading facilities, renovating their properties or making plans to open new hotels. The report estimates that by 2018 there will be about 63 600 hotel rooms available up from 60 900 in 2013.
Foster concludes: “Growth in travel and tourism is expected to fuel growth in the accommodation industry across the African continent during the next five years.”
PRESS RELEASE
PWC report shows revenues fell 2.6% last year as travellers avoided Kenya
BY LYDIAH WERE
