Tourism stakeholders in Mombasa
have called for heightened security
amid a boom in visitor numbers as
the festive season gains momentum.
Already, some hotels have registered record numbers, as the 5th edition of the East Africa Community inter-parliamentary games has brought in more than 10,000 visitors.
John Yegon, the Hotel Sapphire general manager, said MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism is picking up.
“Generally, this December will be a very good December for Mombasa. Apart from the EAC inter-parliamentary games, which bring in more than 10,000 delegates, there are also holidaymakers and corporate endyear parties. This means every single hotel in Mombasa will be busy. This is fantastic for the industry,” he said.
Yegon said Mombasa is ready to receive even more visitors and called on the national and county governments to enhance security.
This will ensure that the visitors enjoy Mombasa’s nightlife, spaces and cultural centres.
The GM called on industry stakeholders to ensure visitors get the best experience, to entice them into becoming repeat tourists.
“This involves giving the best services and ensuring the facilities are in top-notch condition to enhance customer experience.”
He spoke moments before his hotel bagged the Best Hospitality Business prize at the Mombasa Business Awards.
The awards, held at Fort Jesus on Friday evening, were organised by the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Yegon also called on essential service providers like the Kenya Power
Company and the Mombasa Water
and Sanitation Company to also
ensure no power and water interruptions are experienced during the
festive season.
“This is to enhance the guest experience. The capacities we have in Mombasa as a tourism hub are great. For instance, at Hotel Sapphire we can easily do 4,000 passengers lunch anytime any day,” the GM said.
His sentiments were echoed by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, who said security is the most important thing that the government can offer during the festive season.
“We have many guests in Mombasa coming from all over the world. For any destination to thrive, security should be top-notch. We want the EAC MPs to sample the nightlife in Mombasa without needing their bodyguards around them all the time,” Twalib said.
Speaking during a farewell party he hosted for retired Jomvu deputy county commissioner Alphadex Gitonga, Twalib said Mombasa has put in place all measures to ensure visitors enjoy themselves without worrying about their safety and their families.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha have assured visitors the county is safe and that security has been beefed up.
Nassir said the county government has over the last few months been working round the clock to ensure nothing goes wrong during the festive season.
“We have ensured that the drainage system is back to its best and that is why however much it rains now, Mombasa will experience little or no flooding,” the governor said.
In a media briefing at the Kenya School of Government, the regional commissioner said counties at the Coast have identified areas they will secure during the festive season.
Onyancha said it has been a calm year, attributed to a multi-agency approach in tackling security concerns
