This archive report was first published on 4 October 2021.
As the festive season approaches, hotels along the Coast are witnessing an influx of domestic tourists. The change in school calendar has led to many families making travel arrangements to tour the coastal towns.
Lawford Hotel in Malindi is one of the facilities that has been receiving tourists from Nairobi and other regions in Kenya. Hotel owner Francesca Biencaci expressed hope that with some countries relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, more visitors from other destinations would start pouring in.
“The travel restrictions have been a blessing in disguise, as Kenyans have reduced foreign travels,” said Biencaci.
According to Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairperson Victor Shitakha, Mombasa has also been registering an increase in the number of local tourists. This trend is expected to continue with the opening of Travel Port's offices in Mombasa, a global platform for the travel industry.
Travel Port Regional Director Ataul Haque noted that Mombasa has a huge potential for tourism growth, citing the increased number of airlines landing in the coastal city. Airlines such as Ethiopian Airline, Lufthansa Airline, Emirates, and Qatar Airways have started flying directly into Mombasa.
Local tourists are also promoting the coastal region, with some industry players preparing to welcome visitors from international and local markets. Sisters Marian and Lydia Mutahi, who own Villa Safari Malindi, are using their diaspora links to woo tourists to the region.
“We are moving away from traditional tourism and focusing on local areas to discover what local tourism can offer,” said Lydia.
