ABSTRACT

The study looked at the Role of convention and conference facilities as strategies for promoting the hospitality Industry in Kenya with a case study of Intercontinental Hotels, Nairobi. The objectives of the study were to examine different types of conference facilities and hospitality services rendered to delegates and their quality; establish the location of conference facilities in this case- The Intercontinental Hotels, Nairobi conference facility at Intercontinental Hotels, Nairobi; Examine the importance of convention and conference centers, particularly of Intercontinental Hotels, Nairobi as attributed to hospitality development; and find out the challenges faced in provision of conference facilities for the purpose of developing the hospitality industry and their solutions. The methods used for data collection were questionnaires for the staff of Intercontinental Hotels, Nairobi. The study used a descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative methods in relation to cross sectional approach. Hence, the design was seen as appropriate for investigating opinions, attitudes, roles, prospective strategies of convention and conference facilities regarding the hospitality industry in Kenya. Interviews involved exchange of views and ideas, mainly in conservation form- for the purpose of obtaining detailed data. Observation method was vital for examining the quality and type of convention and conference facilities, in relation to the services rendered or offered. The study made some of the recommendations to overcome the challenges the hotel industry faces among which are the following; the government should speed up the allocation of land to the potential investors who are willing to invest in hotel and tourism industry. This will enable government to attract more investors who will offer jobs to its citizens. Hotel owners should ensure that their hotels have enough facilities that can accommodate conferences and conventions. This will enable them make more income for their businesses. It will also sale their businesses to other parts of the world.