The hotel industry in Nakuru County has reaped big from the ongoing World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya.

Hotels in Naivasha, Nakuru, and Elementaita have reported 100 percent bookings courtesy of local and international tourists who arrived to witness the exciting event, according to Bella Safaris CEO George Njuguna.

“The hotels are reporting good business with many of most of them being booked to capacity,” said Njuguna.

Njuguna indicated that open grounds have also been converted to camping sites by rally fans due to a lack of accommodation in hotels.

The organizers of the competition say more than 10,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend the event anticipated to inject Sh6 billion into the country’s economy.

The WRC Safari Rally is a major boost to Kenya’s tourism sector that is reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a decline in international tourists due to travel restrictions.

France’s Sébastien Ogier, a seven-time WRC Champion is among the 58 drivers participating in the Safari Rally whose route includes Elementaita, Soysambu, Sleeping Warrior, Loldia, Malewa, and Kedong.

President Kenyatta officially flagged off drivers at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Thursday, marking the return of the WRC event to the country after a 19-year hiatus.