Malindi tourism hits rock bottom over extended poll period
A man relaxes at the Malindi Beach, which was at one time a major tourist attraction site. International tourist numbers have rapidly dropped. PHOTO | Kevin Odit | NMG
Although some chartered airlines resumed flights to Mombasa, only a few tourists actually visited Malindi.
KAHC warns that some hotels might be closed down if business does not improve soon.
Following the tourist drought, hotels have relied on domestic tourists whose numbers have also dipped.
Tourism in Malindi has hit its lowest point due to political wrangles that characterised Kenya's repeat presidential election, hoteliers say.
“In Malindi, hotels have been hit by an international tourist drought. The top seat wrangles have adversely affected the industry,” the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Kilifi County chairman, Philip Chai, said today.
The KAHC official warns that some hotels might be closed down if business does not improve soon.
He said that although some chartered airlines from Italy resumed flights to Mombasa some months ago, only a few tourists actually visited Malindi.
“The Italian chartered airlines bring a few tourists to Mombasa as the bulk of the holidaymakers spend their vacations in Zanzibar,” he explained.
However, he is optimistic that the industry might improve next month if the dispute over the October presidential election is addressed.
“Were it not for the political wrangles, hotels in Malindi could be busy as the festive season is just at the corner,” he added.
Last month, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the October 26 repeat poll.
However, National Super Alliance (Nasa) flag bearer, Raila Odinga, rejected the results and called for fresh elections to be held within 90 days.
Job losses
Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) North Coast branch secretary, Michael Yaa, warned that thousands of jobs might be lost if the sector does not improve.
Mr Yaa said hotel owners in Malindi were planning to slash their workforce as international tourists are hard to come by.
“At the moment, most hotels in Malindi are scaling down operations. Our fears are that thousands of workers will be sent home if the situation will not improve,” he said.
Sai Rock Hotel Group general manager, Robert Kiri, said the facility in Malindi had 10 per cent occupancy.
“At the moment, our hotel has no international guests as they have kept off due to the political uncertainty,” Mr Kiri said.
Following the tourist drought, he added, the hotel had been relying on domestic tourists whose numbers have also dipped.
