Pride Inn Hotels Group Managing Director Hasnain Noorani. [Maarufu Mohamed/Standard]

Hotels at the Coast have projected an increase in the number of international visitors this festive season on the back of additional direct and chartered flights to Mombasa.

The move has not only increased tourist arrivals in the Kenyan coast but also facilitated business and trade for both local and global entrepreneurs.

Coast hotels have previously relied heavily on domestic tourism.

PrideInn Group of Hotels Managing Director Hasnain Noorani said business has been performing better than last year since the onset of the high season.

He said bed occupancy since November has hovered between 80 and 90 per cent with Christmas and Boxing Day fully booked.

“Currently we are operating on an average of over 90 per cent bed occupancy. Local holiday makers however take a bigger percentage,” said Mr Hasnain.

Last week, beach and safari tourism got a boost after Qatar Airways launched direct flights to Mombasa.

Tourism and hospitality stakeholders saw the inaugural flight as timely as it has the potential to open up the Coast to over 120 holiday destinations globally.

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