Brisk business as Kenyans celebrate Easter at Coast

Tourism players registered brisk business as holidaymakers trooped to the Coast for Easter holiday celebrations despite the prevailing economic situation in the country.

The season offered a brief window to make money for boat operators, ice cream vendors, taxi drivers’ holiday homes and transport agencies owing to an increased number of revellers.

At the beaches, it was a beehive of activities as holidaymakers from Nairobi and other parts of the country flocked to the shores to catch a breath away from the busy city activities.

Hotels and resorts on the coastline registered above 90 per cent of bookings, signifying a thriving hospitality business during the Easter weekend. In South Coast, Diani Reef Resort also registered over 90 per cent of bookings both locals and internationals.

“We registered a large number of domestic tourists not forgetting the fare share of international tourists who had booked in for holidays,” said James Rattos, General Manager at PrideInn resort.

A similar situation was witnessed at the famous Mama Ngina Waterfront Park where many Kenyans from the upcountry flock for relaxation and meditation.

However, a section of traders from the park who spoke to People Daily said the holy Month of Ramadan which coincided with the Easter holiday slowed down business at the park.

Holy month

According to Michael Chaka, an ice cream vendor at the park, the fasting of Muslims who are observing the holy month has denied them huge profits. Chaka said the Easter holiday effect has not been felt especially by small traders.

“Business is not good, this is because when Muslims are fasting, they spend very little money, and therefore for us selling ice cream, we have very limited customers,” Chaka claimed.

Transport agencies also recorded high bookings with several Kenyans travelling from Nairobi centres to mark the season with their families.

Beaches also registered briskly as thousands trooped to enjoy swimming in the Ocean.

“Business was good since Friday, many people were travelling to Mombasa and vice versa, we hope this will continue for some time,” said Mohamed Kassim, a shuttle operator plying the Mombasa – Nairobi route.

While giving the 2022 Tourism Performance Report in February during the sector performance report, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza said more tourists from African countries have been visiting Kenya.

Malonza said she wants to focus more on domestic and regional tourism as she moves to revamp the sector.