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The political activities that have taken Mogadishu by storm are making local hotel owners very happy.

The National Constituent Assembly convention, which ratified Somalia's new provisional constitution on Wednesday (August 1st), brought a large number of visitors to the capital, filling hotels and raising their prices.

Similarly, the upcoming selection of members of parliament, the presidential election in parliament and the appointment of ministerial posts scheduled to be completed by August 20th are expected to keep hotel rooms in the capital booked for next few weeks.

Mogadishu is recovering from the violence and fighting that it endured for two decades, observers say. The city is now taking firm steps towards reliving its glorious past after safety and security have spread throughout the capital.

Hotel Shamo manager Mohamed Ahmed Mathana said commercial life has returned to Mogadishu. Reservations at his hotel have increased due to the convention and people returning from the diaspora, which has allowed him to raise room rates. He said he expects more rooms to be booked in the coming days.

"I expect the current political events that have attracted thousands of people from regional and international organisations to boost economic activity, which had been in a state of stagnation prior to the security improvements in Mogadishu," he said.

Mathana said his hotel, located close to the Kilometre 5 junction in the capital, offers the highest level of security and high-end services in the hope of renewed tourism and commercial activity. These amenities include 48 rooms, a restaurant with a diverse menu, valet services, car-washing services and a well-equipped gym.

He said he is optimistic about recovering last year's losses. "You cannot turn back time. What is gone is gone, but we are optimistic that the market is on the right track towards recovery, especially since Somalis and foreigners have been booking rooms recently, which implies that confidence has been restored," Mathana said.

Hotel Shamo, built by the late Abubakar Amiin Shamo in 1997, is one of Mogadishu's better-known hotels. Customers include journalists, foreign relief workers, government officials and Somali expatriates. It provides air-conditioned rooms, hot meals and cold drinks made from fruit grown in the south of the country.

Journalist Mohamed-deeq Botan said there is marked change from last year, which was marred by instability. Now, foreigners and people returning from abroad have filled the luxury hotels, spiking the number of reservations and causing price fluctuations.

"It is now impossible to get a fixed rate for hotel rooms as hotels in Mogadishu have been changing their prices based on the reservations they receive," he told Sabahi.

Botan said political events in the country have stirred the entire market from its slumber and boosted sales for hotels, restaurants and taxicabs. This heightened commercial activity has prompted some hotels to provide room reservations for a minimum of five nights and rates starting from $120 to $150.

Mohamed Ali Wariri, a businessman in the United Kingdom, told Sabahi it is important to complete construction on buildings and new hotels around Maka al-Mukarama Road to loosen the monopoly existing hotels hold.

Director of Hotel Sahafi International, Mohamed Hassan Gafaa, said his hotel offers a high-quality experience and a unique stay. His hotel has gained the trust of local businessmen and politicians since it re-opened in 1998. The hotel is located near the Kilometre 4 junction and is the closest hotel to the airport.

Hotel Sahafi International offers 70 rooms with television, Internet, en suite bathrooms and desks. The hotel restaurant also serves a diverse, international cuisine throughout the day.

Gafaa told Sabahi that Somalia's tourism sector should launch marketing campaigns. The tourism sector has to get back on its feet after it came to a complete standstill with the collapse of the central government 21 years ago, he said, adding that tourism will benefit both the poor and the rich, since restaurants will gain more customers and hire more staff with the flow of tourists to the country.

"With security improvements in Mogadishu, the capital's restaurants, cafés and nightlife have witnessed more customers, especially among families who have started to come out and stay until late at night in the capital's southern neighbourhoods, such as Waaberi and Hamar-Jajab," he said. "We urge people to denounce the culture of violence that has plagued Somalia for a long time."