This archive report was first published on 1 October 2021.
On October 1, 2021, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala announced plans to rename two airports in the Coast region to boost tourism.
The proposed renaming involves changing the name of Ukunda Airport to Diani Airport and Manda Airport to Lamu Airport.
According to Balala, the rebranding will make it easier to market the two tourist destinations.
However, critics argue that the move will give hotels with the same names an unfair advantage.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye expressed concerns that the renaming will dilute the brand identity of the destinations.
“It is easy for tourists to know about Lamu than Manda or Diani because the beach has been voted many times as one of the best beaches in the world,” said Ikwaye.
Ikwaye added that Ukunda is a large airport with various economic activities, making targeted marketing challenging.
On the other hand, some stakeholders support the renaming exercise, citing the need for brand uniformity and niche positioning.
Kenya Airports Authority is upgrading the runway of Malindi Airport in Kilifi County from 1.4km to 2.4km.
Currently, the government is expanding Ukunda and Manda airports to enable them to handle bigger aircraft.
Ukunda will be expanded at a cost of Sh2.3 billion, while Manda will be upgraded at a cost of Sh121 million.
“In a bid to ensure identity and proper branding, the two airports will have their names changed to Diani and Lamu respectively,” said Balala.
He added that the Transport Ministry had assured him that the upgrade will be prioritised.
