Tourism stakeholders at the Kenyan coast are upbeat that this year the sector will be better compared to the last three years.
The last month of December, the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu received thousands of local and international tourists. On Christmas Day, Mombasa received a cruise ship.
Most hotels in the region were operating at more than 95 per cent occupancy on the last week of December.
All major beaches in the four counties were full of tourists.
Domestic tourists were the majority but unlike during the Covid-19 pandemic, the international market too registered an increase in numbers.
In the north Coast areas like Watamu and Malindi there were thousands of both foreign and local tourists who came in for their holiday.
Watamu residents said they were happy to see tourism booming again this festive season after more than three years of Covid-19 pandemic that really affected the sector.
The foreign market in particular is the one that suffered most as many foreigners who love Watamu could not visit the resort town known for the best pristine beaches and enjoying a wide range of attractions from boat safaris and dolphin watching, among many other experiences.
The situation was also similar in the south Coast, which also recorded an increase in numbers of foreign tourists which was also attributed to the post Covid-19 pandemic, where there is free movement globally.
Mombasa was also full in the beaches and in all the hotels where tourists, majority of the residents, flocked for the festive holidays and New Year celebrations.
Security was tight all over and there were minimum cases of insecurity which enabled holiday makers to have peaceful holidays.
A visit at the Garoda Beach situated within the Watamu Marine National Park revealed that tourists love the beach more due to its strategic location.
Beach operators said they are happy that after the pandemic business has now returned to normal as the foreign market is roaring back.
Juma Karisa, a beach operator from Garoda beach, said the area was one of the best destinations giving wonderful experience to tourists.
Speaking to journalists at the beach, he said he deals with excursions for tourists and at Garoda they are divided into three groups, including safari sellers, curio sellers and sun beds.
Karisa said many investors have set up tourism investments such as restaurants, tourist resort hotels, islands, which can attract both local and foreign tourists.
He said security in the area was perfect and thanked President William Ruto and his security teams for ensuring that the area and the country at large was safe.
Nicholus Nerone, a curio seller at Garoda Beach, said the area was a perfect destination for tourists because it lies within the Watamu Marine National Park.
He said many tourists love the area because they love to do snorkeling to watch fish on the marine park, adding that there was also a curio market along the beach area.
“Park fees and airport fees are really frustrating tourists. They pay €50 when getting in and another €50 euros when getting out. We urge the government to reduce the fees so as to increase more tourists,” he said.
Edgar Mgao, a beach operator, also emphasised on the need for the government to reduce the park fees so as to attract more tourists as many are opting to go to Zanzibar due to the high costs.
“When foreigners visit our country, they increase the foreign exchange and more money circulates and the country moves forward but the truth of the matter is taxation is high. The government also ensure villas are not allowed to host tourists so as to encourage people to go to hotels to create jobs and more taxes for the government,” he said.
Mgao said the government should limit the number of guests going to private houses so as to ensure the hotels get more tourists.
Max Wiliam, a tourist from Italy, said he was happy to be in Watamu as it was a very nice destination with good people and nice environment.
William said he has been to Watamu and Malindi twice and really enjoys the hospitality of the people with good weather conducive for tourists.
“We are getting real life experience because Kenya is not only this sea that is really fantastic, there is hot weather,” he said.
William called on other tourists visiting Kenya to visit schools and community to offer any support they can.
(edited by Amol Awuor)