Tourism not a foreigners-only affair

With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, many Kenyans are planning on making a number of trips to various destinations.

Whereas most head to their respective rural homes for the week or so, others opt to go on trips either locally or in foreign countries.

For those who choose to stay within Kenyan borders the question has always been where one should go and at what cost.

Tourism for a long time now has been associated with foreigners coming to visit the country during festive seasons but thing are now changing with youthful Kenyans taking advantage of attractive packages on offer to visit a number of places.

The Domestic Tourism Council has been pooling together their members in an effort to attract customers for trips that are organised by one operator.

The excursions are all arranged under the patronage of the chairperson of the council, Ms Anastanzia Wakesho, to see to it that residents get affordable packages.

“We are trying to encourage residents to take advantage of their beautiful country and enjoy what foreigners do. We have realised that there is a large market which is untapped though some people are financially able,” says Ms Wakesho.

“Hotel accommodation rates in our country have become un-affordable to residents especially when everything is charged in foreign currency,” she notes.

The partnership has already organised trips to places such as Malindi, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Hells Gate National park and Mt Longonot among other destinations.

Avoid overheads

The amount charged depends on the distance to be covered and the type of destination. Charges range from Sh2,500 to Sh15,000 which include food and accommodation although clients have to organise for their own transport.

Mr Simon Koech of Dawn to Dusk Safaris is one of those involved in the programme. “We try and avoid any overheads that we could do without especially accommodation which is charged highly in most hotels in game reserves and National parks.

“Therefore, we set up tents instead which still serve the purpose of accommodation,” says Mr Koech.

“We organise to have clients stay at a home or the beach front while we cook our own food giving us a feeling of home away from home. Just by keeping off the expensive hotels, you can enjoy yourselves,” adds Ms Wakesho.

The council is on a mission to tap into the local market considering the huge blow to tourism that followed the post-election violence early this year.

“Most of the companies that shun our locals almost closed shop as there were no foreign tourists and considering the profit margins that they are used to, they could not absorb the pressure.

“Some had to even lay off some of their staff. They should have become flexible to tap into the local market,” says Ms Wakesho.

However, Ms Wakesho admits that there has been a problem in convincing Kenyans to change their mentality on tourism in general.

“Most Kenyans view tourism as only for the big spenders,” she says.

Big towns

Many locals especially the young and upcoming professionals residing in big towns of Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret can spend an average of Sh2,000 on a night out yet shy away from a Malindi trip which costs only Sh15,000 for a whole week.

A week and a half of savings would be enough to take you to places that you have only read about in magazines or seen on TV.

So next time you plan on taking a holiday, your village should not always top your list.