For the hospitality industry, business is booming. Hotels on Kenya’s Coastal belt have already reported an influx of international tourists this festive season.
Tourism and Hospitality industry players who have spoken to Business Today have said hotels and guest houses have recorded an average of 20% increase in bookings thus far compared to the same period last year.
“Most local visitors are from upcountry, however, there is a significant increase in number of international holiday makers following an increase in number of chartered international direct flights and local daily flights received in Mombasa,” said Mr. Victor Shitakah, Coast Regional Manager for PrideInn Hotels in a statement to newsrooms.
Most hotel managers at the Coast have described 2017 as a bad year for business largely because of the prolonged electioneering period that brought about instability but the same hoteliers say that the industry has recovered this year.
However, there is the slight issue of safety of guests that the industry are grappling with at the moment following the kidnapping of Italian volunteer worker Sylvia Romano in Malindi, Kilifi County on November 21.
“We want to assure all visitors coming to celebrate Christmas that the resort is safe. They can come here without having to look over their shoulders. Apart from private security within, we have installed high-tech CCTV cameras and modern screening facilities at all points within our hotels as additional measures,” said Mr. Shitakah added in the statement.
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Already different security agencies are working towards finding Ms Romano who Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Matteo Salvini has said is still alive.
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But unlike previous years, foreign governments have not issued travel advisories to their citizens following Ms Romano’s kidnapping.
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