Lately, there is been an increase in the hotel bookings at the coast to up to 80% for both domestic and regional tourist as the festive season draws near. According to stakeholders in the tourism sector, hotels are surviving on domestic tourists during and after Christmas into the New Year.
Sam Ikwaye who is the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers executive officer said that bed occupancy is increasing in majority of the beach hotels and cottages at the Coast but most of these bookings are made by locals, unfortunately the international visitors are very few, indicating a decline of up to 70% most likely its because of the travel advisories issued as result of frequent terror attacks.
Kenya is now losing out of people from key markets like UK and US despite the fact that the wildlife in the different parks like Masai Mara game reserve, Tsavo west and east national park among so many others is amazing.
There are a number of festive events lined up by the county government of Mombasa to attract high number of both local and foreign tourist. There will be cultural cuisine tourism in addition to the existing beach tourism so said County tourism executive Joab Tumbo.