Domestic tourist numbers top Coast's December bookings

According to a projection report by the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), the increase in bed occupancy is expected to grow towards the end of the month.PHOTO: COURTESY

Coast hotels anticipate 75 per cent bed occupancy during the festive season, with 60 per cent of the guests expected to be domestic tourists.

Coast hotels anticipate 75 per cent bed occupancy during the festive season, with 60 per cent of the guests expected to be domestic tourists.

According to a projection report by the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), the increase in bed occupancy is expected to grow towards the end of the month.

“This is largely due to the last-minute nature of bookings that has been evident over time for locals making rush decisions to take a holiday,” said KAHC Chief Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye.

He added that it was understandable that the international market had not picked up as well yet, although the marketing incentives the national government has put in place as it tries to salvage the ailing tourism industry are expected to yield fruit after 2017.

“A lot more families and the middle class are expected to come for holidays in star-rated hotels as well as in alternative accommodation service providers such as apartments and even home-stay packages,” he said.

Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) Chairman Mohamed Hersi told The Standard from London that the projections for the long holiday season were looking pretty good.

ADVANCE BOOKINGS

“There are even advance bookings for December and many more are trickling in for January and February 2017, which is highly admirable,” said Mr Hersi, who is also the CEO of the Heritage Group of Hotels.

In South Coast, the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort & Spa is reporting upwards of 70 per cent bookings, according to Jacaranda Group of Hotels Sales Manager Liz Tapawa.

Mombasa Serena Beach Resort and Spa General Manager Tuva Mwahunga said many Kenyans were now embracing holidays, especially the middle-aged.

And at Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort & Convention Centre, General Manager Imtiaz Mirza said they had a full booking for the entire festive season.

LOOKING BETTER

And things are looking better at the Sai Roc Beach Resort & Spa where confirmed bookings stand at 70 per cent, most of them domestic tourists.

“The majority are repeat guests,” Sai Roc General Manager Robert Kiri said.

Jambo Group of Hotels, which has several units in Mombasa and Mtwapa in Kilifi County, is also projecting an increase in visitor numbers.

The group recently opened the Jambo Traveller Hotel in Mtwapa - the sixth in its chain of hotels at the Coast.

Proprietor Simon Ndolo said they were receiving guests from all over the country and more from Europe.

 

“This is largely due to the last-minute nature of bookings that has been evident over time for locals making rush decisions to take a holiday,” said KAHC Chief Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye.

He added that it was understandable that the international market had not picked up as well yet, although the marketing incentives the national government has put in place as it tries to salvage the ailing tourism industry are expected to yield fruit after 2017.

“A lot more families and the middle class are expected to come for holidays in star-rated hotels as well as in alternative accommodation service providers such as apartments and even home-stay packages,” he said.

Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) Chairman Mohamed Hersi told The Standard from London that the projections for the long holiday season were looking pretty good.

ADVANCE BOOKINGS

“There are even advance bookings for December and many more are trickling in for January and February 2017, which is highly admirable,” said Mr Hersi, who is also the CEO of the Heritage Group of Hotels.

In South Coast, the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort & Spa is reporting upwards of 70 per cent bookings, according to Jacaranda Group of Hotels Sales Manager Liz Tapawa.

Mombasa Serena Beach Resort and Spa General Manager Tuva Mwahunga said many Kenyans were now embracing holidays, especially the middle-aged.

And at Pride Inn Paradise Beach Resort & Convention Centre, General Manager Imtiaz Mirza said they had a full booking for the entire festive season.

LOOKING BETTER

And things are looking better at the Sai Roc Beach Resort & Spa where confirmed bookings stand at 70 per cent, most of them domestic tourists.

“The majority are repeat guests,” Sai Roc General Manager Robert Kiri said.

Jambo Group of Hotels, which has several units in Mombasa and Mtwapa in Kilifi County, is also projecting an increase in visitor numbers.

The group recently opened the Jambo Traveller Hotel in Mtwapa - the sixth in its chain of hotels at the Coast.

Proprietor Simon Ndolo said they were receiving guests from all over the country and more from Europe.