National parks and game reserves have attracted more visitors in the past two weeks due to anticipated wildebeest migration. [Photo/bonfireadventures.com]
Businesses at the Coast are experiencing increasing numbers of tourists before the high season next month.
National parks and game reserves have attracted more visitors in the past two weeks due to anticipated wildebeest migration.Willie Mwadilo, the branch chairman for the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato) Tsavo East and West National Parks and Amboseli, said that tented camps and lodges are recording impressive occupancy rates.He also noted that the camps and lodges in Tsavo East and West National Parks and Amboseli National Park have witnessed an occupancy rate of between 60 and 70 per cent up as compared to 30 and 50 per cent for the month of May.The official also expressed optimism that the guests’ numbers will increase up to 80 per cent next month.He further said that the increase in the number of visitors can also be attributed to chartered flights, which have seen tourists from different foreign countries flocking into the nation.“Tourists from Poland and Germany are flocking to the parks thanks to charter flights operated by TUI Poland to Mombasa,” he said. The entrepreneur also acknowledged that Madaraka Express has played an immense role in the increased profits of business in the region.“Both local and international tourists from Nairobi and Mombasa nowadays travel by train to Voi and then head to the national parks for game drives,” he added.On his part, Heritage Hotels’ Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Hersi, said that more tourists are expected into the country because of the wildebeest migration.