African Safari Club closes hotels but MS Royal Star will continue

 African Safari Club, has closed 6 of its 10 hotels in Kenya.

This follows massive cancellations over the post-election violence.

The company Managing Director, Mr Frank Neugebeaurer, said that due to low tourist arrivals, they had closed down some hotels and sent home 700 employees.

“It is a very sad scenario. This is the peak season when hotels are fully booked. We hope peace will be restored soon and leaders agree on the best way forward,” he said.

The chain’s closed resorts are Watamu Beach, Sea Horse in Kilifi, Kasr El Bahr, Vasco Da Gama, Palm Beach Hotel and Coral Beach Hotel.

But the hotel’s African Safari Air, the only registered international charter airline out of Mombasa, will continue operating.

Neugebeaure said they currently have 600 guests at their other hotels, namely Paradise Beach, Shanzu, Dolphin and Flamingo Beach hotels.

The manager said their airline had reduced its flight rotations between Europe and Mombasa, from five to two per week.

“We would bring in 1,200 guests on a weekly basis. But the number has reduced to 300-400,’’ he lamented.

The hotel’s cruise ship, MS Royal Star, operated by Starline Cruises, will continue shuttling between the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Town, Madagascar and Re Union.