This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
As the high season begins, tourism stakeholders in Kilifi County are urging the government to increase spending in infrastructure to sustain the growing numbers of tourists.
According to Maureen Awuor, Chairperson of Kenya Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association North Coast, most hotels in the county are now 80% full, thanks to improved security.
Italian tourists, who had declined in numbers due to economic slowdown in Italy and insecurity-related cases on the Kenyan coast, are expected to hit 80,000 this year and could reach 100,000 next year, a number last reached in 2005.
Cozy Point Proprietor Sabina Vivaldi expressed happiness over the season's pick-up, saying foreign tourists are flocking in after a year of a slump.
However, Pasquale Tirito, chairman of Jacaranda Beach, which has three resorts near Watamu, highlighted challenges facing the sector, including the delayed expansion of Malindi Airport and bad roads such as the road linking Casuarina and Watamu.
