Hemingways Collection has announced that Hemingways Watamu will re-launch in January 2018 following a multi-million-dollar transformation. The hotel will reveal a full refurbishment that cements its position as the leading property of its kind in the country. With a stellar reputation, and guests who have visited year-in-year-out since Hemingways Watamu first opened in 1988, the hotel will retain its original spirit – whilst adding a new touch of African flare.

The new look maximizes the hotel’s idyllic setting at the heart of the Watamu Marine National Park – home to turtles, barracuda, whale shark and wonderful coral reefs. The project has been led by South African firm DSA, while the result will be simple, clean and elegant. Interiors will be characterised by plantation shutters, diaphanous-draped four-poster beds, and a laid-back modern coastal vibe. Colours of the sea and sand come together with touches of driftwood and local materials. Rooms will be spacious inside and out; every room and apartment will have a private balcony with an ocean view.

A new botanical swimming pool alongside the spa and modern gym will transform relaxation for guests on the Kenyan coast. Treatments by Terres d’Afrique, an African skincare company that takes inspiration from the traditional uses of African plants, will help guests to fully relax into the Watamu pace of life. The re-designed Hemingways Watamu will re-open with 39 bedrooms – including 13 brand-new deluxe ocean view rooms – and 21 Residences, offering one-, two- or four-bedroom apartments that will be available for purchase and as part of the hotel inventory.

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum will return to Nairobi on October 2nd-4th. The event is considered premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers. This year, the day prior, October 1st, will feature investment inspection visits to several development projects around Kenya. Kenya has varied and wide-ranging tourism potential and the opportunity to explore some of these investment opportunities before congregating in Nairobi will be one of the highlights of the event programme.

The visits will include various projects accessible via the Madaraka Express Train Service, Kenya’s new express railway, which opened in May last year, 18 months ahead of schedule. Speaking at Investour, part of the FITUR programme, Kenya cabinet secretary for tourism, Najib Balala, said: “I am delighted that we have brought Africa’s highest profile hotel investment forum back to Kenya. “It will attract the kind of people who have the influence and resources to make a destination successful.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Kenya’s tourism industry is responsible for 15.3 per cent of total exports and 8.9 per cent of total employment. It is also a sector that WTTC predicts will continue to grow at six per cent per annum over the coming decade. By moving location every couple of years, AHIF has provided direct economic benefits to various African cities.

Dedicated to the constant maintenance of their exclusive lodges and camps, luxury travel company &Beyond has announced the upcoming refurbishment of &Beyond Bateleur Camp, situated in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Work on the iconic tented camp will begin in November and the project will be staggered over six months. The guest tents at the iconic camp will be completely rebuilt and refurbished, increasing in size to an impressive 97 m² and including both indoor and outdoor areas. New features in the guest tents will include built-in day beds on private verandas, situated to admire the views, as well as open-air stone courtyards flanking the bathroom. New finishes will include deep bathtubs, sumptuous furniture and fittings and chrome ware.

Al fresco showers will add a touch of authentic safaris, which butler hatches will allow for service that is intimate and discrete, while also fully personalised. Lighter Talek stone finishes will contribute towards the more spacious feel of the suites. Two swimming pools will make a welcome addition to the camp, with extensive poolside decking providing the ideal location for outside dining. A well-equipped fitness centre will enable health enthusiasts to exercise in full view of a magnificent Masai Mara panorama.

The refurbishment of the entire camp will be completed by June, 2018.

Oman Air has welcomed the launch of its inaugural flight WY721 to Nairobi, Kenya. The four times weekly flight to Nairobi operated by a Boeing 737-800, is Oman Air’s first service to Kenya. The flight will open up easy access to Oman Air’s outstanding range of destinations for customers from Kenya as well as helping to strengthen political, economic and social links between Oman and Kenya. At Nairobi there will be convenient connections to other points in Africa in cooperation with Kenyan Airways. Oman Air deputy chief executive, commercial, Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, said: “The launch of this route is a significant milestone for Oman Air and is in direct response to customer demand. “Oman and Kenya have been trading for many years and there have been recent moves between both countries to increase the synergies between both countries and build on the rising level of trade.

“We are confident that this latest expansion by Oman Air will help develop growing relations between both countries and also increase tourism and VFR traffic between our two nations.” ADVERTISEMENT The launch of the new route demonstrates Oman Air’s commitment to continuing it ambitious and dynamic programme of fleet and network expansion and on board service developments.

This has seen the company take delivery of outstanding new aircraft, introduce a range of exciting new destinations and launch new products and services which contribute to a seamless passenger experience.