The Migori County Bars and Hotels Owners Association has described the Piny Luo Cultural Festival as a key economic opportunity for Migori County, noting that hotels and restaurants across the county have made significant preparations to host visitors expected during the event.
The association says the festival is likely to attract guests from within Migori County, neighbouring counties, and across the Tanzania border, creating increased demand for accommodation, food services, and other hospitality-related offerings.
In anticipation, hotel operators have upgraded their facilities, improved service standards, and coordinated internally to ensure adequate capacity across major towns including Migori, Rongo, Sori, Macalder, Karungu, Kuria, Uriri and Suna East.
According to the association, Migori’s hospitality sector has the capacity to absorb high visitor numbers, including spill-over guests from neighbouring counties, as has happened during previous editions of the Piny Luo Festival held elsewhere in the region.
This preparedness, they say, demonstrates the sector’s commitment to supporting county-led cultural and tourism initiatives.
“Piny Luo is not only a cultural celebration but also an economic opportunity for Migori County, and as the hospitality sector we are fully prepared to receive and serve visitors,” said the association’s chairperson, Dr. Alfred Mdezi.
While welcoming the county government’s role as host of the festival, the association noted that limited engagement of hotel and restaurant operators in the planning process made it difficult to plan in a coordinated manner.
It argued that structured inclusion of hospitality stakeholders would improve planning around accommodation demand, food preferences, visitor movement, and opportunities to showcase local cuisine and services.
“Early and structured involvement of hotel and restaurant operators would allow better coordination and ensure visitors enjoy a seamless experience, while also helping to market Migori as a cultural and tourism destination,” Dr. Mdezi said.
The association also highlighted the importance of supportive public services during the festival period, including cleanliness, security, reliable water supply and electricity.
It called for cooperation between the county government and national security agencies to guarantee safety and order, while allowing businesses to operate without unnecessary disruption.
Despite noting that full hotel bookings had not yet been realised at the time of the statement, the association remained optimistic that visitor numbers would rise as the festival dates draw closer, leading to positive economic returns for local businesses.
“With proper coordination and support services in place, Piny Luo has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to Migori County and its business community,” Dr. Mdezi said.
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