Slow start to tourist season at the Coast

Hotels at the Coast are still reporting a low number of guests despite the start of the high tourist season on Wednesday.

Traditionally, the high tourist season starts in mid-July and runs till March the following year, and is characterised by a high number of international arrivals mainly from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France.

But hotels in the region are currently experiencing low visitor numbers.

Almost all the European chartered airlines which pulled out of the Mombasa route last year are yet to resume flights. Only German holiday airline Condor is operating three charter flights a week from Frankfurt to Mombasa.

Currently, Moi International Airport, Mombasa, receives three charter flights a week from Europe, down from 40 charter flights a week in 2011.

Heritage Hotels chief executive officer Mohamed Hersi has attributed the low number of international tourists to the fewer charter flights from Europe to Mombasa, as well as travel advisories which were issued last year.

“Although the UK lifted the travel advisory against Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties last month, the chartered airlines from the UK are yet to resume flights to Mombasa.

“Furthermore, the US, France and Australia have not lifted their travel advisories yet, contributing to the low number of international holidaymakers,” he explained.

Mr Hersi said occupancy at the Voyager Hotel is averaging at 40 per cent, compared to 80 per cent in the same period last year.

Of the 40 per cent occupancy, he added, 20 per cent are international guests while the rest are locals.

However, he expressed hope that international visitor numbers might increase between November and December this year and January and February next year.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort food and beverage manager Kennedy Mwichuli said the hotel has an occupancy of 40 per cent compared to 70 per cent during the same period last year.

He added that less than 10 per cent of those staying there were international guests.

Mr Mwichuli said he expects the hotel to record 80 per cent occupancy next month, pinning his hopes on the August school holidays and the Mombasa International Agricultural Show.

Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels general manager Silas Kiti said Mombasa Beach Hotel has recorded 30 per cent occupancy compared to 60 per cent July last year.

The hotel chain’s Voi Safari Lodge in Tsavo East National Park, he added, has only 19 per cent occupancy while Ngulia Safari Lodge in Tsavo West is at 15 per cent.

Mr Kiti said all the guests at the two lodges are holidaymakers from Germany, Denmark and Italy.

“During this time when the high seasons begins, the lodges would have 60 per cent occupancy of international guests, but not anymore,” he said.

In Diani, Kwale County, Baobab Beach Resort general manager Sylvester Mbandi said the high season had begun slowly with the hotel’s occupancy at 40 per cent compared to 70 per cent last year.

He explained that 20 per cent of the hotel guests are from international markets while the rest are from East Africa.

However, he expressed optimism that the number of international tourists might soar from October to December.

In Malindi, Ocean Beach Resort general manager Harvey Ndege reported his hotel's occupancy at 20 per cent, with three per cent being international guests.

“At the moment, the number of Italian tourists is still very low as we are facing competition from Zanzibar,” he added.

Mr Ndege said the hotel was banking on the domestic market and tourists from neighbouring countries to improve occupancy in the coming months.