Watamu wowed many during last festive season with its amazing attractions

Kilifi County's destination Watamu is on a rebound after local hoteliers reported a full house festive season last year and early this year.

Governor Amason Kingi announced increased budgetary allocation this New Year to boost and improve infrastructure in both Watamu and Malindi, two key tourism hotspots in the county.

Hundreds of tourists visited Watamu during the Christmas and New Year festive season and rated the resort town as the best destination in Kenya for its pristine white beaches and good quality hotels.

Reports indicated that all along the 25 kilometre beach stretch that is dotted with world class hotels and the popular Watamu Marine National Park was a beehives of activities as tourists both locals and domestic flocked in large numbers to enjoy their new year holidays.

In previous years, Watamu used to be overshadowed by Malindi in terms of numbers but that has become a thing of the past though most of the tourism players in the area normally say the two destinations match each other.

Last year all resorts reported full occupancy and investors are recording booming business that is expected to go up to April this year.

Among the attractions in the resort town include the good quality resorts, excursions, the white sandy pristine beaches and its closeness to the sprawling Tsavo East National park.

Among the resorts that have attracted tourists in Watamu include Temple Point Resort, Seven Islands, Krystall Bay, Garoda beach resort, Turtle Bay, the five star Medina Palms, Hemingways, Lyly Palms, Jacaranda Beach Resort among others.

Both investors and tourists in Watamu said the resort city is the perfect holiday destination for revelers wishing to enjoy luxury and comfort away from their homes.

At Seven Islands Resort for example a big number of tourists who were first timers and revealed Watamu is the best destination because it is ‘good both during low and high tides.’

Roberto Lenzi, the owner of Seven Islands, Papa Remo beach club and Krystall bay resort in Watamu  said the tourism sector has gone up this year and described Watamu as ‘the best destination in Africa.’

He said his hotel received many guests from Kenya, Nigeria, Italy, and France among other destinations and all of them were happy.

“Watamu is the best destination with a 25 kilometer stretch of white pristine beach, people are kind here,’’ he said.

Lenzi attributed the increased in tourism numbers to the political stability and asked the authorities to complete the Malindi international airport so as to bring in more tourists from new markets  such as Bangkok, Thailand that have already begun coming due to the easy connection made possible by Ethiopian airlines.

Giulia Morganti ,a representative of Sea Club Francorosso, a tour operating company said her guests were so happy to be in Watamu for their Christmas and New Year festive season.

“It’s a beautiful holiday, the Ocean tides are good, the white sands,’’ she said.

She said  during the month of December and on a weekly they had brought 150 tourists from Italy to Watamu adding that in Christmas the number rose to 200.

Federica Bangna a tourist from Varese Italy said Watamutourism destination was amazing, as the people were polite and the ocean was good with white beaches.

“Am really happy am looking forward to go for a safari, I can not wait to see the wild animals,’’ she said.

She said during low tides one is able to walk freely to look for sea corals, Star fish while during high tides one can also enjoy the blue oceanic view.

Luciano Bangna said he had travelled a lot with his family in many parts of the world but Watamu had proved to be one of the best destinations.

“The panorama is good in this small village (Watamu) that fits well for families , the beach environment is wonderful ,’’ he said.

Flavio Vanin a tourist from Italy said Watamu was perfect destination for those who like to party, drink and enjoy the sun.