Assessment of the contribution of leisure and Recreation facilities to the revenue of three Star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya.
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Date
2015
Authors
Karobia, Annie Wanjugu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Leisure and recreation is an area which is constantly changing and must be closely monitored to retain the hotels competitive advantage and subsequent market share. Leisure and recreation facilities (LRF) benefit a hotel in the following areas: competitive advantage, positive image and as a marketing asset. Guests in a hotel expect LRF to be available in a hotel. This research examined the LRF available in three star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya and the extent to which they are used. The research aim was to determine whether the use of LRF benefits the hotels in increased rate charges, turnover rates in room occupancy, restaurant and conference and also in membership which are indicators of revenue gains. A cross sectional descriptive research design was used to gather information from the respondents. The location of the study was three star hotels in Nairobi County Kenya, where the general managers, front office managers, recreation managers, recreation attendants and or instructors and facility users who were present at the time of data collection were the target population. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as the research instruments to collect data. The instruments were pretested in order to obtain the reliability using the test retest method which was subjected to Pearson's Product Moment correlation coefficient. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions, percentages and means. Inferential statistics were used to determine the relationship between LRF and rates charged, turnover rates and membership. Data from the open-ended items was summarized into frequency tables. The data was presented in pie charts, graphs and tables. The study found out that three star rated hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya had diverse LRF which included; swimming pools, golf course, steam bath, massage parlor, squash court and tennis court. The research found out that more than half of the clients in S6 percent of 3 star hotels made use of LRF. The hotel clientele was composed of in house guests (11%), walk in guests (SO%) and registered members (39%). The study indicated that on average, LRF contributed 7 % to the total hotel revenue. According to the respondents, it was found out that LRF had impact on the rates charged on the hotel services and facilities. Positive associations were found between the presence of LRF and turnover rates in room occupancy (p=O.OOO<O.OSr)e,staurant (p=0.004<0.OS) and conference booking (p=0.009<0.OS) in three star rated hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya. LRF and I' hotel membership had a positive association of p=O.OOI<O.OS. Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that: LRF are essential as either direct or indirect sources of hotel revenue, LRF contributed to the revenue of 3 star rated hotel in Nairobi County Kenya, through direct charges for LRF, rates charged, high turnover rates in room occupancy, restaurant, conference booking and membership fee. The study recommended that hotels should invest more on LRF in an effort to attract new clients and to maintain the existing ones as they increase the hotels revenue both directly and indirectly. A research on the trends in LRF in hotels was also recommended to help the government realize the wy forward in achieving the vision 2030.
Description
A research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters of Science in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, Kenyatta University.