Tourism in Watamu is booming again this festive season after over three years of Covid-19 pandemic that really affected the sector.
The foreign market in particular is the one that suffered the 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, dolphin watch among many other experiences.
A visit to Garoda Beach situated within the Watamu marine national park revealed that tourists love the beach more due to its strategic location.
Excursions in Watamu are a must-include for tourists to visit the Garoda beach to allow them to swim, and those interested in buying curio products to buy before proceeding to other attraction sites.
Beach operators said they are happy that after the pandemic, the 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 a 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.
“Here as you can see, we are doing good you can see Italians are back, this area is a high tourism attraction because the name Watamu means sweet people, and there are dolphins just within these waters here,” he said.
Karisa said many investors have set up tourism investments such as restaurants, tourist resort hotels and 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 watch fish at 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 Euros 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 emphasized 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 costs which are high.
He said Kenya has nice beaches but the numbers could be more than those coming if the government set up friendly rates for the park and airport fees.
“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," Mgai said.
"The government also ensures 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 added.
He 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 a nice environment.
William said he has been to Kenya 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, and when you go a few kilometers in the country you can get an experience of the heart helping people because there are many people who need help,” he said.
He called on other tourists visiting Kenya to visit schools and communities to offer any support they can.
Philemon Mwavala the Director of Southern Sky safaris said there is a nice moment and an amazing experience doing safari blue in Watamu which has lots of sea mammals.
He said the market is wide enough from the domestic, East African and international market as all of them are coming in to visit and enjoy their holidays.