Tourism boost as 100,000 expected at cultural festival

More than 100,000 local and international tourists are expected to attend a four-day international cultural festival in Mombasa that begins Thursday.

“Everybody should come to Mombasa and sample the coastal town’s rich culture and delicacies,” said the event’s chairperson Rabia Salim.

Over 50 exhibitors are expected to take part in the festival, which will take place in different locations.

They include Fort Jesus, Makadara Grounds, Mama Ngina Drive, the Swahili Cultural Centre and Uhuru Gardens near the famous elephant tusks on Moi Avenue.

Mombasa County Executive Joab Tumbo told the Nation that the festival would be a milestone in selling Mombasa to the world, not only as a preferred holiday destination but also as a rich cultural centre.

He said security had been boosted.

“Mombasa has for years been a beach holiday destination but now we want to diversify and make it a cultural tourist town. These visitors are expected to boost the ailing tourism industry,” he said.

Activities lined up for the visitors include coconut tree climbing, dhow racing, deep sea fishing, a street carnival, dances, a variety show and a music concert.

“Everything is in place to draw visitors to the Kenyan coast and dispel security fears, which, in recent months, have dogged the tourism sector,” said Mr Tumbo.

He said the county had partnered with various stakeholders in trying to put up a cultural festival that was likely to bring changes to the region’s tourism sector.

The festival organisers recently received Sh500,000 from the Tourism Fund in support of the event.

The fund’s head of finance, Mr Joseph Cherutoi, said they were happy to work with any other county in reviving tourism in the country.

“Despite the challenges the tourism sector has been going through, as a country, we are happy that there is a lot of improvement in security. We have not heard cases of attacks in the last one month,” said Mr Cherutoi.

“The cultural festival is an attempt to woo more tourists. We will continue to support such events, even in future,” Mr Cherutoi added.

The climax of the event will be a major street carnivore on the last day.

The carnivore will bring together all Coastal peoples.

Mr Tumbo said the county government had set aside Sh50 million for the event, much of which had been spent on advertising and publicity.

OFFER INCENTIVES

The festival also received sponsorship from Bamburi Cement Company, a subsidiary of Lafarge Eco Systems, Abson Motors Limited, Chase Bank, Family Bank and Alliance Française, among other organisations.

Hoteliers have been urged to offer incentives, including special packages, to local tourists who will attend the festival.

Airlines have also been asked to sponsor the event and offer special fares to people who will be visiting Mombasa during the festival.