Coast hoteliers optimistic of peak season’s booming business

PrideInn Hotels Managing Director Hasnain Noorani speaking to journalists on July 24, 2018. He said the tourism industry in Kenya’s Coast has started picking up after the end of the prolonged electioneering period. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • There has been an increase in both domestic and international tourist bookings.
  • Mr Omar said ongoing campaigns to reduce rates for domestic tourists during the low season are already paying off.
  • Local tourism has been gaining momentum in recent years.

Hoteliers in Kenya's Coast are optimistic of booming business in the second half of 2018 and in 2019 as the peak season approaches.

PrideInn Hotels Managing Director Hasnain Noorani said the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga in March has greatly boosted the tourism industry which had in 2017 been adversely affected by the prolonged electioneering period as well as travel advisories and terror threats.

Mr Noorani said the hotel industry has started feeling the effects of the two leaders' handshake months later with an increase in both domestic and international tourist bookings.

“Hotel bookings and occupancies have gradually increased as we begin this peak season. This has been attributed to a sober political environment experienced in the country as well as enhanced security. Increased frequencies of local low-cost airlines flying to the coastal towns has also played a big role,” said Mr Noorani.

IMPRESSIVE BOOKINGS

PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort General Manager Mohammed Omar said the hotel has 45 per cent bookings, adding that he expects the number to increase as August approaches.

“At the moment, we are seeing higher figures of over 45 per cent for the business in the books between now and end of the year compared to 34 per cent same period last year, these signs are indicating a positive growth,” Mr Omar said.

Local tourism has been gaining momentum in recent years after the Kenya Tourism Board launched a 300,000 SMS marketing campaign in January 2016 aimed at drawing more Kenyans to tourist hotspots.

Mr Omar said ongoing campaigns by hotel and tour operators to reduce rates for domestic tourists during the low season are already paying off.