Life & Work

Tourism sector turns to domestic market with deals

tours

Tourists at the Travellers Beach Hotel in Mombasa. Hoteliers are hoping for new source markets and the domestic markets to keep them afloat. Photo/FILE

When chartered planes were sent to evacuate British tourists from the Coast following travel advisories recently , the tourism sector was dealt a big blow.

The advisories by the UK, US and Australian governments are hitting Kenya hard. Though this is a major blow to the country’s economy, it’s an opportunity for Kenyans to travel and know their country at a fair rate.

President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the first to ask Kenyans to travel around l the country with tour and travel agents also calling on locals.

“Kenya is our country and we will develop it. Even if they take their tourists, we will look for others. We will fight terrorists and we will not be cowed,” said President Kenyatta, as he addressed wananchi in Kikuyu Town, Kiambu County, on his way from Alliance High School last weekend.

The Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism in March kicked off a national campaign dubbed “Tembea Kenya’ aimed at wooing domestic tourists.

Hotels across the country have cut rates to attract local tourists.

“The most we have seen is hotels cutting rates by 25 per cent,” said Shirley Nailantei, director and CEO Convette Group. Shirley specialises in both domestic and international travels. She is among local agents urging Kenyans to travel this season.

“With the weather we currently have in Nairobi, what can someone do but travel to the beach?,” posed Shirley.

There are many options for locals to enjoy. From the beach to a safari, adventure travel or even a day trip. The market is expected to be flooded with attractive packages.

“We have reduced our rates for residents, just as we have always done during the low season,” said Roberto Macri, who manages a beach resort in Malindi. He also adds the weather in Malindi is just perfect for anyone looking to take a vacation in the beach.

While there are hotels that have cut their rates by 25 per cent, travel agents say some have reduced by up to 50 per cent. Although, insecurity has to some extend limited people’s movement, hotels are trying to remain open.

Travel agents advice domestic tourist to travel to calm areas like Voi, Diani, Limuru, Naivasha, Maasai Mara, Lamu, Malindi, Watamu and Laikipia. But they add that local tourist should exercise caution and listen to advisories from travel agents.

“We urge travellers to co-operate with travel agents and follow the advice. If something were to happen it will not be good for our business. When you travel be on the look out and get a travel agency that can advise you on the travel,” added Shirley.

Holiday

Domestic tourism has been a hard nut to crack due to a number of reasons. Polycarp Migiro, who runs his own Tours and Travel company, says Kenyans only travel during major holidays.

This means, less people take opportunity of low season due to tight work schedule, the fact that schools are also open and limited spending powers.

“Residents take vacation over Easter and Christmas holidays and that is the end of it,” said Polycarp.

Roberto says his hotel registers more resident travellers from the start of October. Italians, who make a large part of international tourists in Malindi, visit from August but this season, many have not come.

“Malindi is silent, there are no tourist around, because people in Italy have no money and residents come over holidays,” said Roberto.

Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), the country’s tourism marketing agency, has in the last few days begun promotion of the domestic market, urging Kenyans to travel around the country.

Unlike South Africa which prides has an active domestic market, Kenya’s market is not good. Figures to support the claim are also not in the public domain, making it a challenge to gauge performance.

But stakeholders reckon that domestic tourism is key in growing the industry, which has overly depended on international arrivals.

“If we get local tourists to travel, then we can sustain our economy,” said Shirley adding that we need to pray for the nation.

“What we are telling Kenyan’s is If other people are not consuming our products, let’s consume it. It helps and we are better off than not doing it at all,” said Simon Kabu, Director Bonfire Adventures. Bonfire has booked locally travellers for Madaraka Day.

The travel firm has floated good rates for people traveling to Mombasa.

“We are giving Sh23, 800 in a four or five star hotel, inclusive of any non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. What we are doing is to give the add-on so that Kenyans can enjoy,” said Simon.