Tourists at Fort Jesus Mombasa. [Photo/The Star]Hotel charges in Mombasa have doubled following a sharp rise in domestic tourists headed to the coast for the Christmas holiday season, lifting hoteliers' profits.
Most hotels on the coast have recorded full bookings in the period after December 20.
Mohammed Hersi, Kenya Tourism Federation chairman said rates rise between 40 and 50 percent during the peak festival season.
"From December 20 to January 3, 2018, holiday rates jump by 50 percent due to large numbers of holidaymakers who want to celebrate Christmas and New year in a sun, sand and sea atmosphere, "he said.
Mr Hersi, who is also the Sun Africa Hotels chief executive, revealed hotels experienced low business during the electioneering period.
According to Mr Hersi, the cost of half-board -bed dinner and breakfast- for festive season increased from between Sh7,500 and Sh20,000 to Sh5,000 and Sh40,000.
Tourism earnings increased to Sh99 million last year on arrivals of 1.39 million visitors, up from Sh84.6 million the previous year.