Last month, hotels enjoyed brisk business due to the large number of domestic tourists from Nairobi and upcountry who visited the region for Christmas and the New Year celebrations.
But after the New Year holiday, many locals have returned to work while children have resumed classes after the reopening of schools.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye called on investors in the region to come up with products that can attract domestic tourists throughout the year.
Coast hotels are now banking on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions' (Mice) tourism and some international tourists escaping winter to stay afloat.
Last month, hotels enjoyed brisk business due to the large number of domestic tourists from Nairobi and upcountry who visited the region for Christmas and the New Year celebrations.
But after the New Year holiday, many locals have returned to work while children have resumed classes after the reopening of schools.
According to Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) chairman Mohamed Hersi, hotel occupancy in Mombasa is averaging at between 40 per cent and 50 per cent down from between 80 per cent and 100 per cent last December.
“During the festive season, the hotels were packed to capacity thanks to domestic tourism. Majority of the visitors were families due to the school holidays,” he added.
The KTF official said at the moment, hotels will depend on meetings and conferences, business travellers and a few local holidaymakers.
Winter season
On the other hand, Mr Hersi, who is also the chief executive of Sun Africa Hotels, said the hotels are pinning hopes on the winter season in the west to boost occupancy.
“Occupancy at Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel is at 50 per cent compared to between 75 per cent and 100 per cent in December 2017,” he said, adding that 10 per cent of the current guests were foreigners.
He noted that from this month to March, more international tourists are expected to visit the coastal resort towns for them to soak up the sun.
PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort general manager Mohamed Omar said the hotel had 56 per cent occupancy down from 80 per cent, last month.
“In December, the hotel was busy due to parents, who were on vacation with their children. But after school re-opening domestic tourism has dipped,” he explained.
However, Mr Omar said business would improve as a result of meetings and conferences hosted by local and international organisations, corporate firms and government institutions.
In Watamu, Garoda Beach Resort resident manager Daniel Mwita said the hotel was enjoying 70 per cent guest numbers due tourist arrivals from Italy.
Of the 70 per cent occupancy, he added that 65 per cent were Italian holidaymakers, who are in Watamu to enjoy the warm weather.
“From this month to March, we will be receiving tourists from the Italian market as they are avoiding the winter in Europe for sunbathing on the beach,” he added.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye called on investors in the region to come up with products that can attract domestic tourists throughout the year.
“Our hotels mainly offer family holiday packages. That’s the reason why they are busy in the three-month school holidays of April, August and December,” he said.
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