Local hoteliers project higher room bookings in the four months to November 2026, reflecting a stronger conference season as international meetings and corporate travel lift demand for accommodation.
A new Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) survey shows average forward bookings for August through November rose to 56.25 percent, up from 49.5 percent in a comparable period last year. Forward bookings in the hotel industry refer to confirmed room reservations secured for future dates.
The bookings averaged 59 percent in August, 53 percent in September, 56 percent in October and 57 percent in November, against 49, 52, 46 and 51 percent respectively in the corresponding months of 2025.
The CBK notes that the improvement reflects seasonal demand and prevailing tourism trends, with Nairobi recording a particularly strong increase in international meetings and conferences.
“The survey findings indicated improved average forward hotel bookings for the period August to November 2026 compared with a similar period in the previous year, reflecting an increase in seasonal demand and prevailing tourism trends,” the apex bank said.
“Respondents expect a further pick-up in business tourism, including work-related travel for meetings, conferences, local events and festivals, and corporate incentive events. This trend has been particularly pronounced in Nairobi, which has experienced a surge in international meetings and conferences.”
The findings are based on responses from 96 hotels included in a wider survey covering 400 private-sector firms, including banks and non-bank businesses.
The stronger booking pipeline comes as Nairobi prepares for a busy calendar of conferences and trade events between August and November.
The Kenya Transport Summit and Expo is, for instance, scheduled for September 30 to October 2 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together policymakers and transport industry stakeholders.
The Africa Commerce and Industry Summit will follow from October 14 to 16 at Uhuru Gardens, with trade, investment and business leaders expected in Nairobi.
The summit programme includes investor forums, private deal rooms, government-business discussions and sector sessions covering energy, agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host the event as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.
The Kasneb International Conference for Professionals will run from October 26 to 30 at The Edge Convention Centre, targeting more than 500 physical delegates.
The conference calendar illustrates the role of business events in sustaining hotel demand as delegates require accommodation, conference facilities, restaurants, transport and other visitor services.
Nairobi’s convention infrastructure is anchored by KICC, which provides meeting, exhibition, catering and event facilities for conferences ranging from smaller meetings to large international gatherings.
In its latest survey, the CBK expects moderate economic activity between August and October, supported partly by tourism and construction recovery, lower borrowing costs and sustained investment.
The broader outlook is, however, constrained by rising fuel and energy costs, geopolitical tensions, elevated operating expenses and weak household purchasing power.
Respondents in the survey specifically identified the continued vulnerability of tourism and hospitality to external shocks as a risk to economic activity and business confidence.
The CBK says respondents remain hopeful that a possible easing of Middle East tensions could lower energy and freight costs, as well as reduce trade and supply-chain pressures.
A separate CBK CEOs Survey found that firms expect higher production and operating costs to remain a major constraint on business activity during the third quarter.
