TOURISM

Hyatt hotel group wants to tap into potential of Kenya’s MICE sector

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Well-known international hotel chain debuts in Kenya with a 219-room property in the upmarket Nairobi Westlands neighbourhood.

The giant Hyatt hotel group has made its brand debut in Kenya with the official opening of its Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands property.

The Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands. Photo: Hyatt

The 219-room hotel is located in a prime spot for business and events in Nairobi Westlands, a residential and commercial neighbourhood known for its many amenities, upper-middle class residents and a vibrant nightlife. 

 

According to a report published in Business Daily Africa, Hyatt is upbeat about growth in the Kenyan market, buoyed by strong demand from the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector. 

 

The report quotes the hotel’s General Manager, Igor Jovovic, as saying: “We are particularly seeing demand from the corporate and MICE segment, which is usually the core business of city centre hotels.” 

 

Milestone in Hyatt’s growth in Africa 

 

Comments Stephen Ansell, Managing Director – Middle East and Africa at Hyatt: “We are thrilled to debut our first Hyatt-branded hotel in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in Hyatt’s growth in the African market – underscoring our commitment to expanding into sought-after destinations and catering to the diverse needs of modern travellers.” 

 

With more than 2,000 square metres of available space, the property offers 10 distinct meeting spaces, facilities for grand banquets and large conferences, and a top-floor ballroom which is claimed to be one of the largest in East Africa. 

 

According to ‘International Meetings Statistics Report 2023’, Kenya hosted 29 meetings during the year, ranking it 60th globally. 

 

“This highlights Africa’s need to tap into this sector, which surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year, faster than previously predicted,” says the publication Southern & East African Tourism Update in a January 2025 article. 

 

“Countries in East Africa are working towards establishing strong national convention bureaus to tap into this revenue and diversify their tourism products.”

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.