Neelma Maru

Neelma Maru, 37, is an articulate communicator with a warm aura. Our one on one at the newly opened Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi, 1st in Kenya and EA, is part of an upscale Swiss group of 85 hotels in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. 

- Muthoni Ngei

What pulled you to the hotel industry? 

I always had a passion to work in the hotel industry as I am a people’s person. I feel the hotel industry gives a chance for one to be connected to the guests directly so that you can offer personalized service.

What are your thoughts on our tourism industry? 

Leisure trend is slowly stabilizing but there is a new trend in Nairobi for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events). Nairobi is strategically placed between main cities. It is easy to get to by air and being the main hub where you want to hold your exhibition or meetings. It connects people in gatherings, events, meetings as well as businesses. as the main mark in between. The hotel industry is recovering from last year’s election period. The number of tourists coming in has been fluctuating since but the Kenya Tourism Board is investing a lot to emphasize on growing it further.

What would you wish to change?