Extended school holidays hand brisk business to coastal hotels
Hotels and holiday homes at the coast are still enjoying brisk business owing to the extension of school reopening date that has seen holiday makers extend their stay at various destinations.
In Mombasa for example, the sandy beaches, tourism resorts and historical sites are surprisingly in a flurry of activities in January, opening another window for layers to make money.
A spot check by People Daily at the famous Fort Jesus Monument yesterday, hundreds of local tourists among them parents with their school going school children continued to flock to the heritage site bringing fortunes to the tourism sector.
“I decided to bring my family to Fort Jesus in January because the history is very rich here. I want my children as they return for the January school calendar, they can visualise what they saw with what they learn in books,” John Paul, a local tourist.
Another local tourist James Nzomo from Eldoret, who made his maiden tour at Fort Jesus with the family said he had to take advantage of the prolonged closure of schools to enjoy his holiday in Mombasa after celebrating Christmas in the village.
“The closure of schools has given us an opportunity to enjoy long holidays with our kids, and again remember in January there is no much rush to coast as compared to the December holiday, so this period has provided a perfect time to stay in Mombasa,” said Nzomo.
Hotels recorded 100 percent bookings in Christmas and New Year festivities, but according to Kenya Coast Tourism Association executive director Julius Owino, Mombasa is enjoying 70 percent bookings of guests in January.
“Normally by January there are no huge numbers of domestic tourists, but now business is still thriving thanks to the extension of school opening dates, we are happy that many holiday makers have extended their stay and this has brought good tidings to the sector,” said Owino.
Owino says the sector players are now banking on relative calm post general elections in the country to diversify their products and make money. He challenged the government to open the skies to attract more international tourists getting in the country.
“We call upon the cabinet secretary of tourism and education and see how we have always had the January holiday extended so that it can boost tourism,” said Owino, saying by December most holiday hotels enjoyed good sales.
He said Mombasa, which is a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions hub, is enjoying good fortunes as most companies flock to the region to hold their meetings.
“The Dubai direct flight to Mombasa is playing a key role in linking up the coast as a destination, but if we have more of these direct flights we are going to get more guests flying in so we really need to encourage and thank Kenya Airways for this plan,” said Owino.
Kenya Coast tourism sector is banking on the introduction of direct flights from Dubai to Mombasa to grow its tourism numbers in 2023 season.
UAE is the principal market for Kenya in the greater Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market that consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
On December 15, 2022, Kenya celebrated a huge milestone when National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) took to the skies, its maiden non-stop flight from the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa to Dubai. The inaugural flight was flagged off by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who said direct flights from Mombasa to Dubai was key in facilitating the movement of passengers and goods from the Kenyan coast to the United Arab Emirates.
