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It is a beehive of activity, where industry stakeholders are talking about topical issues influencing the Africa and beyond. Don't be left behind, you too can become part of this great community and interact with fellow industry decision makers, while reading this article and giving your comment in this great article. There's no question that 2009 has been another hectic year for the hospitality and tourism industry in the world and East Africa at large meaning Tanzania,Kenya,Uganda,Rwanda,Burundi.Events issues and concerns ranging from the global financial slowdown to erratic fuel prices and emergence of the HINI virus all worked against the industry. Despite all these the expectation to deliver high quality five-star service to the guests is still required. Does the hospitality industry have what it takes to be five-star? These can only be achieved through continuous re-training of the personnel and motivation of employees through good pay and incentives, which will give them the morale to strive towards giving quality and reliable service. East Africa countries have realized it is only through the above that can indeed be destination of choice if their house is put in order. As more hotels open around the country there is a need to 'building the perfect hotel' and the role of a consultant in the hotel development process. Moreover, there are ways to make the hotel Bar more functional to accommodate extra guests during holiday seasons. There are several essential things that is supposed to be known about your hotel guests to be able to offer great service. Traditionally tourist activity at the Kenya Coast is low during the 'off season' so that many properties opt to shut down temporarily. In reality the hotels should not shut down and actually it is the best time to stay open there are many ways on how they can operate and generate new business off season.

1.EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO RE-CLASSIFY HOTELS IN 2010

The four countries of the East Africa Community have initiated the idea of re-evaluating and rating of hotels & restaurants using a new set of standards developed for the region. These are efforts aimed at streamlining the classification system in preparation for the launch of a common market protocol for the East African Community (EAC) by this year 2010. The implementation of this approved uniform standards and classification criteria for the East African Community marks a critical milestone in the integration of the region as one tourist destination 'says Najib Balala, Minister for Tourism Kenya. For the success of this process, EAC individual partner states are expected to train professional assessors who will undertake the assessment and classification of hotels, restraurants and other tourist facilities. Kenya will invest $ 190,000 in training in line with the provisions of Article 115(2) of the establishment of ' a common code of conduct for private and public tour and travel operators, standardize hotel classification and harmonize the professional standards of agents in the tourism and travel industry within the community. This will not assure the visitors of high standards and good service but also be used as a marketing tool, as well as create uniformity among our tourism products within the community it will also help in providing advanced information on the kind of accommodation and other services expected at the destination. This landmark agreement was signed in November 2009 at a ceremony held in Tanzania 2009 at a ceremony held in Tanzania by all head of states of the four countries paving way for a common market which will allow free movement of people, goods, labour and capital across the member countries. This was during the tenth anniversary of the EAC and under the common market protocol the countries agreed to eliminate all barriers to trade, harmonize standards of goods and implement a common trade policy.

2. HOTEL OCCUPANCY RATE DROPS BY 8.2% DESPITE AIRPORT ARRIVALS GROWTH.

Based on the data, a hospitality industry bechmarking and research firm, room occupancy rate in Africa dropped by 8.2% to56.9 % , average daily rate increased 1.5% to $ 140.66 and revenue per available room decreased 6.9% to $80=00 based on research carried by Smith Travel Research (STR Global). According to an October 2009 report released by STR Global, there are 442 hotels- comprising 120,589 rooms under construction in Africa and the Middle East region. Chain affiliated hotels account for about 20% of total rooms under construction while the unaffiliated hotels comprise 25.2% (30,387 rooms).The affordable luxury segment accounts for 12.5% (25,940 rooms). Midscale properties, those without the food and beverage segment, account for the smallest portion of the total active pipeline: 1.3% and 1,558 rooms.

3. AFRICA GETS MORE VOTING SEATS IN GLOBAL TOURISM BODY.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has elected Kenya, South Africa,Zimbambwe, & Burkina Faso to the Executive Council .This is a specialized agency of the UN dealing with tourism policy issues and development of the sector at the global level' it gives Kenya an opportunity in setting the pace and shaping tourism policy and strategy at the global level in the market four years' says Tourism Minister Najib Balala- who was also elected the first vice chairman to the Executive Council. The election gives Africa an opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the organizations programme of work and budget in selecting topics of vital importance to the global tourism sector for debate in general assemblies. Among the topical issues currently being addressed by UNWTO are the effects of the global financial crisis on the tourism sector the impact of climate change and HINI pandemic. The assembly is expected to come up with clear guidelines on how to address these changes. 4. NEW HOTELS OPENS IN KENYA NAIROBI FOR BUSINESS. (A) OLE SERENI. A new entrant into Kenyan market, opened its doors in October 2009 is located on Mombassa Road opposite Zain on the Eastern side of Nairobi National Park. It has 134 tastefully decorated rooms including two luxury suites with a Jacuzzi on a veranda overlooking the Nairobi National Park. It intends to offer both city and wildlife atmosphere. The hotel is valued at $ 12.5 million and will be managed by Sarovar Hotels India, Pvt, Ltd (not related to Sarova Hotels in Kenya). (B) CROWNE PLAZA. In another development the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced plans to launch a new five star hotel in Kenya within this quarter. The 163-rooms five-storey Crowne Plaza Nairobi will have two bars, two restaurants , a banqueting hall, three meeting rooms, a health club, swimming pool, sauna with treatment area and a gym. This hotel group wants to develop Africa portfolio with more than 30 properties over the next three to five years, and these will all be in prime locations and high growth cities. This will strengthen its position of becoming the leading operator on the continent and to contribute significantly to IHGs over all portfolios. This hotel chain has been in Kenya (Nairobi) and Zambia (Lusaka) for over 40 years, a testimony to commitment to the African continent. Total rooms account for Nairobi on the rise, Hotel Name Rooms Number Ole Sereni 134 Crowne Plaza 163 Red Court 150 Sankara Nairobi 156

(C) RED COURT ADDS 150 ROOMS, PLANS TO ESTABLISH A HOTEL CHAIN. It is fully owned by Kenya Red Cross Society, has unveiled plans to expand across the Kenya as a chain. Underway is the refurbishment of Red Court hotel based in Nairobi on the Eastern side of Nairobi National Park opposite capital centre on Mombassa road just 3 minutes away from Ole Sereni to include an additional 150 rooms, a spp and 400 pax-ballrooms. The hotel will house a fully loaded business centre with several meeting rooms complete with free wifi as a value added service for guests. ' It is designed both for business and pleasure. The redesign will be more eco friendly in water and energy consumption and be able to harvest solar energy to compliment electricity grid ''.and also conserve water by using of modern water harvesting technologies. The Red Court Nyeri,Red Court Nairobi which comprises of a modest 59 rooms are already operational with a health club a bar and restaurants and ten meeting rooms. The expansion plans are underway for Red Court chain of Hotels throughout the country starting with Red Court Eldoret,Red Court Kisumu and then Red Court Malindi.

(D) REDIDOR TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN AFRICA AND BEYOND. Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans to expand its operations to more African countries by 2012. The group will open three new properties under the Redisson Blu Hotel brand, Nigeria by 2012-raising the number of rooms in the country by 575. The president of Redisson claimed that 'the region has a considerable untapped economic potential and is lacking internationally branded hotels in many capital cities' with 30 hotels with 7,500 rooms in operations and under development it will become their position as one of the leading hotel operators on the continent. A pipeline of future openings for the group includes expansion of the Redisson Blu Hotel brand in Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, Egypt and Libya. The Redissson Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of close to 370 hotels in operations and under development with more than 78,300 rooms in 58 countries.