Domestic tourists at the Jomo Kenyatta public beach [Photo/ travelstart.co.ke]
Hotels in the Coast region have reported recording increased bookings ahead of the Christmas festivities.The move has been attributed to rising domestic tourism and relative calm owing to the end of the prolonged electioneering period. Stakeholders in the industry say they are expecting brisk business this festive season thanks to both local and international tourists.The recent introduction of regular charter flights from Poland to Mombasa by Poland’s Tui Charter Airlines has also boosted tourism in the region. “Bookings for the festive season have begun picking up, especially after the government addressed insecurity in Mombasa. The hotels will be full from Christmas Eve to New Year,” said Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers’ (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye. Ikwaye credited the rise in numbers to improved security and the onset of schools and colleges holidays that have enabled families to head to the Coast.The swearing in of President Uhuru Kenyatta has also been termed as an open window for increased tourism arrivals. “North Coast at large is still recovering but at other parts of South Coast, we are recording 50 to 60 percent bookings,” said Ikwaye. Last Saturday, the sector got a boost after the arrival of a cruise ship at Mombasa port, with 642 passengers on board.On his part, Kenya Coast Tourism Association chairman Victor Shitaka said direct flights from Germany and Poland will be landing at Moi Airport after every 10 days until next year April.Tui Airlines Netherlands and Travel Service from the Czech Republic will also be operating weekly flights to Mombasa. “They have increased charters from 190 to 270 flights annually or 4,220 visitors by April 2018,” said Shitaka.