Naivasha to benefit from tourism this easter as tourist avoid Nairobi and Mombasa

Lake Naivasha, a tourist attacrtion site (Photo:Courtesy)

By Antony Gitonga

Kenya: Hoteliers in Naivasha have benefitted from the recent terror attacks coupled with crackdown in Nairobi and the Coast with revelers preferring the lakeside during the Easter holiday.

Days to the holiday, major hotels around the lakeside town have benefitted from the fear in the Coast which for years has been the holiday destination for many.

This came as security officers intensified their security in major roads, installations and hotels around Naivasha and its environs.

Naivasha boasts of various tourists attraction sites like Lake Naivasha, Hellsgate park, Mt Longonot national park and major hotels.

A spot check on various hotels found majority were either filled up while others were 75 percent booked ahead of the long weekend.

It was good business at the major hotels like Enashipai, Crayfish, Sopa,Masada, Simba, Eserian, Sawela, Club Heritage and Fisherman’s camp.

According to Peter Mehta from the popular Crayfish camp, they were fully booked ahead of the holidays adding that they had surprises and new packages for their visitors.

He said that the terror attacks in various places in the Coast had caused anxiety despite the governments move to increase patrols.

Mehta said that they were working with security officers adding that currently Naivasha was the ‘safest’ place for local and international visitors.

“We have seen an increase in the number of visitors compared to Easter last year and we are fighting Mombasa so as to be number one in terms of tourists attraction,” he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Wanjeri Wahiti from Enashipai Spa and Resort which was recently awarded by the World Travel Awards for having the best Spa in the country.

“We have seen an upsurge in the number of visitors this time round and we are committed to giving them the best services,” she said.

Speaking on phone, Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mohammed Abass said that all security forces were alert adding that patrols had been heightened.

Abass noted that Naivasha had continued to live to its word as a tourist destination town and guaranteed visitors of their security during the holiday and after.

“We are not taking anything for chance and we have increased our patrol cars and personnel in all parts of the town,” he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Naivasha OCPD Charles Kortok who warned criminals to keep away from the town.

“We have placed adequate measures to deal with any law-breaker and we are calling on members of the public to work with us,” he said.