Economy

Efforts underway to boost tourism at Coast

tourist

TOURISTS RELAX BY THE BEACH. FILE PHOTO | NMG

A number of measures have been proposed to boost tourism in Malindi and Watamu, currently going through a lean season.

Among them is expansion of Malindi Airport to accommodate larger aircraft, individual marketing of the facilities rather than wholesome promotions by the tourism board and diversification to conference tourism.

Since 2014, popular holiday destinations in Kilifi County have suffered a downturn due to low number of international visitors.

Kilifi and Malindi depend mainly on tourists from Italy. Most hotels in the two counties are owned by Italians.

Following the low tourist season which began last month, more than 20 hotels have shut down in the two towns, resulting in loss of jobs.

READ: Hotels now face closure on low business

Normally, hotels re-open in mid-July, but some could resume business much later due to the General Election on August 8. Kenya Coast Tourism Association chairman Mohamed Hersi said tourism in Kilifi could recover if Malindi Airport was expanded from 1.4km to 2.5km to handle bigger aircraft. It would then be able to receive direct flights from Europe.

READ: Coast hotels bank on conferences to weather low season

International tourists currently travel for eight hours from Europe to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and then connect to Moi International Airport in Mombasa. They then travel to Malindi by road.

But Malindi Airport manager Walter Agong said expansion of the airport was in progress, with the apron 85 per cent complete and fencing of the land 95 per cent ready. The apron will be completed this month and will accommodate four bigger aircraft compared with the current three smaller aircraft, he said. He added that the process of acquiring 159 hectares of land to pave the way for expansion of the airport’s runway had started.

READ: KAA kicks off land take-over for Malindi airport upgrade

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, Coast branch, executive officer Sam Ikwaye said hotels in Malindi and Watamu should turn to conference tourism to remain afloat during low season. And former Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Coast branch, chairperson Monika Solanki called on the Kenya Tourism Board to market the two counties.

READ: Kenya inks tourism deal with Indian cricket team

ALSO READ: Kenya woos top US luxury cruise line to buoy tourism