The tourism sector received a major boost after a group of more than 80 tourists from Russia landed in Malindi as part of marketing the sector to various countries globally.
The tourist arrived at the Malindi International airport on Wednesday, with two charter planes which had carried them from Moi International Airport and some from Wilson Airport.
According to Kilifi county Chief Executive Committee member for trade and tourism (CEC) Nahida Mohamed said that arrival of the guest was a big step for the tourism sector in Kilifi and Coast region in general since the tourism market had almost reached to its dead end.
Speaking at the Malindi International airport after receiving the guests CEC Nahida said that there is a need for stakeholders in tourism together with other local leaders from both the national and county government to intervene so as to popularize the tourism market.
“We are currently experiencing a shortage of tourists because our marketing strategy that has not been doing good so far, and despite being poor we only depend on one market that is the Italian market,” she said.
“If you look at the majority of tourist who frequently visit Malindi and Watamu most of them are Italians, who some have become used to our environment and culture,” she added.
Ms Nahida said that as the tourism department they are aiming at expanding the tourist market to middle east, Asian, and the German market to boost the tourism sector in the region adding that they are hoping to open direct airlines from Ethiopian were it will be easier to receive international tourists from other countries since Ethiopian has direct airlines to Europe.
However she revealed that most of the tourists who land in Moi Airport in Mombasa complain of accessibility to Malindi and Watamu a move she said has made many tourists cancel their trip to Malindi.
“We have challenges in how the tourist get to reach to their various destinations the moment they land in our airports especially from Mombasa to Malindi, most of them find it tiresome,” she said.
“We call upon our national government to speed up the expansion of Malindi International Airport which will be able to receive international tourists and reduce the jam experienced in Moi International airport, she added.
The Russians tourists are expected to spend their holidays in Watamu and other local hotels for more than two weeks.
This comes as most of the five star hotels in Malindi lay down their tool due to the lack of tourists in the area.