Naivasha readies to host visitors for the Safari
Toyota Kenya's Sales and Planning coordinator Rayo Hasegawa (left) WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi and Toyota Kenya's Sales and Product Trainer pose for photos at Kasarani on June 11, 2021 after handing over the Toyota Hilux pickups which will be used as the route opening and route safety cars during the Safari Rally.
What you need to know:
- At least 10,000 guests are expected in the country in the coming days as Kenya prepares to host the World Championship Safari Rally from June 24-27 in Naivasha.
- Among the guests expected are rally drivers, crew members and other support staff.
The WRC Safari Rally Chief executive Officer Phineas Kimathi has indicated that the initial plan was to have more than 200,000 guests but the number was reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Despite the Covid-19 set back, the motorsport event will be broadcast live in 155 countries with a viewership of about 850 million spectators,” Kimathi said.
He thanked the Nakuru Country Tourism Association (NCTA) for partnering with Safari Rally organisers to ensure a successful event.
Economic benefits
He underscored the economic benefit of the event to Kenya, citing this year’s Equator Rally during which Naivasha town hosted about 5,000 guests.
“We expected the bed capacity to double during the WRC event, with some of the hoteliers setting up tents to cater for the increased number of guests, '' said the Safari Rally CEO.
NCTA chairman, David Mwangi revealed that at least 100 hotels have been booked ahead of the global event.
He said the purpose of training senior hoteliers in the region was to equip them with requisite skills and know-how to enable them handle guests well.
“The training will be cascaded down to particular hotels and organisations. At least 10,000 hospitality staff are expected to benefit from the training before the Safari Rally starts,” Mwangi said.
Good experience
He said they were working closely with WRC Safari Rally Kenya Secretariat to ensure a good experience for visitors.
He said the hospitality sector has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and exuded hope that the Safari Rally will help accelerate tourism recovery.
“We are not out of the woods yet but hosting the event is surely an economic turnaround for many of us in the industry,” he admitted.
A majority of the workers in the hospitality sector in Naivasha and in many parts of Kenya have lost jobs, while others have been put on unpaid leave.
