How Sudden Shut down Of Hilton Hotel Will Affect The Dynamics Nairobi CBD
The shutting down of the Iconic Hilton Hotel will affect the dynamics of the Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to a large extent.
The Iconic hotel has been in operation in Kenya’s Nairobi city for 53 years since 1969.
The premise is set to close its doors on December 31, 2022. Even though the hotel’s landmark building remains, its sudden disassociation with Hilton will alter the dynamics of Nairobi CBD due the fact that Hilton has been more than a hotel.
It is a key city landmark alongside the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), The National Archives, Afya Centre and Ambassador Hotel.
Cylindrically shaped and towering well above its immediate neighbours, Hilton Hotel has offered one of the easiest reference points for people seeking to give directions, or planning to meet.
Next to Hilton on one side is a bus station that ushers one into the downtown sprawl which is, more often and not, teeming with activity even in the narrowest of alleys.
The News daily media understands that several staff members will lose jobs following the decision to shut down the iconic hotel, which has already been communicated to the Kenya Tourism Board.
The Five-Star hotel (Hilton) began its operations in the capital city on December 7, 1969 after it was opened by the then by the Kenya’s first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
According to the report from the director of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), they received a notice from the hotel, alerting them that it will cease operations at the end of the year.
“I can confirm that Hilton Hotel will shut down in December. We have received the notice. I’m not sure what has occasioned the decision, but I know business has not been looking up for the hotel, especially after Covid-19 struck,” the KTB official told the media team.
