The miseries of local tourists

By Hans

One reads in the media that local tourists make up to 60 per cent of occupancy of coastal hotels during low seasons from May to July. But is this always true?

Very few Nairobians, for example, ever visit the Coast at such times for leisure. Seminars and team building groups, which are not dependant on free weekends and off days, is all there is.

Majority have to wait for weekends tied to national holidays for extended stay at the sun-kissed beaches. Looking at the calendar this year, things have not been favourable. Labour Day (May 1) was on a Saturday while Madaraka Day (June 1) was on a Tuesday. Very few people managed a coastal trip.

Moi Day (October 10) will be on Sunday, Kenyatta Day (October 20) on a Wednesday and Jamhuri Day (December 12) on a Sunday.

From the look of things, the coastal region will lose big this year. Few people might be able to afford taking a flight to save on time. Taking a bus might be cheaper but takes a whole day.

Others might not want to be booked into hotels with foreigners for fear of being treated as second-class visitors. Waiters and hotel workers often have their sights on mzungus expecting a handsome tip as opposed to their fellow compatriots.

Another problem local tourists are likely to have in Malindi hotels is the language. Almost everyone speaks Italian, and quite often, menus and information are in Italian leaving a local feeling like a stranger in his/her country.

Foreign languages

I recall an incident when animators did their stuff in Italian and only reverted to English when other guests complained. The situation is the same in discos. Music is played as per the wish and taste of international guests, forcing many locals to leave the comforts of their hotels and seek entertainments elsewhere.

Many big hotels prepare their cuisines to suit their international guests. A local is, therefore, confronted by foreign delicacies and local dishes like ugali or irio make an appearance only once a week.

But things are improving. In the past few years, many hotels have endeavoured to treat local tourists warmly and the staff are all smiles.

Maybe they have realised that a local tourist is better than none.