Idd fete offers Coast hotels lifeline

Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations provided a lifeline to hotels in Mombasa and Diani.

In Diani, Baobab Beach Resort general manager Sylvester Mbandi said the hotel’s occupancy rose from 40 per cent to 65 per cent, attributing this to Muslims flocking the hotel for the Idd festivities.

The hotel attracted Muslim guests from Nairobi, Mombasa and Arusha in Tanzania.

“During this year’s Idd celebrations, business improved as Muslims from the country and Tanzania came to Diani for holiday,” Mr Mbandi explained.

“We prepared for them Swahili delicacies and entertainment to give them a memorable Idd holiday.”

Apart from the Muslim guests, the manager said that some Italian tourists were booked for holidays.

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Mr Mbandi told the Nation Wednesday that tourism in South Coast was expected to improve next month if the calm enjoyed in the country is sustained.

He anticipated booming business next month since schools will have closed for the holidays. The Mombasa International Show and Mombasa International Cultural Festival are also expected to attract many visitors.

Mombasa Continental Resort general manager Charles Gichohi said the Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations brought good business to the hotel.

He said they hosted a luncheon, for 150 Muslim guests and their families.

Apart from the luncheon, he said, the hotel organised entertainment, swimming and other events.

Mr Gichohi said they expected to host some German tourists when they conclude their visit to the Maasai Mara. “If all goes well, we expect international tourist bookings to go up in August as well as families who will be coming to relax here due to the school holidays,” he said.

The manager urged tourism stakeholders to improve their products to attract more visitors.

Sai Rock Hotel Group general manager Robert Kiri said the Idd celebrations boosted their business.

“During Idd, we had 50 per cent occupancy, up from 35 per cent the previous week as Muslim clients came to celebrate at our hotel,” he said.

Heritage Hotels chief executive officer Mohamed Hersi said both Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer had 80 per cent occupancy.

The majority of the guests were from the UK, the US, Australia and Canada.