Hopes rise at the Coast as the hoteling booking rates increase and expected to rise higher

By Philip Mwakio

Coast, Kenya: Prospects for Easter Holidays in most star rated hotels at the Coast have gone up with bed occupancy expected to rise to between 70 per cent to 90 per cent.

According to the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye, some hotels have given discounted rates to attract more domestic and foreign visitors.

 Ikwaye said last year was equally bad as Easter holidays followed the general elections.

“We can benchmark with 2012, which was a better year with average occupancy in most of the star rated facilities hitting the 100 per cent plus mark,’’ Ikwaye said. He dismissed the assumptions that insecurity and acts of terrorism had led to low anticipated hotel occupancies. “Security is not a factor here as it only affected image of the Kenyan Coast as a destination,’’ he explained.

charter destination

The Coast region has over 30,000 hotel beds in several star rated hotels. Ikwaye noted that the Coast has predominantly been a charter destination. “Since a number of charter flights from major source markets in Europe stopped flying into Mombasa last February and international arrivals that have been feeding into the Mombasa and Coast hotels took a blow,’’ he said. 

Ikwaye said low occupancy was due to economic recession in some source markets and VAT which has increased the cost of living.

“This is the class of society  who have been sampling holiday resorts  but with VAT increments life has become tougher  and holiday never seem as a priority,’’ he said. Ikwaye added that the trend will dip after the Easter season as the annual low season sets in thereafter with most hotels closing down for soft renovation as has been the norm.

confirmed bookings

The Kenya Coast Tourist Association through its Executive Officer, Millie Odhiambo noted that the number of confirmed bookings for Easter is low compared to last year, despite last year being an election year, adding that high cost of living has left Kenyans with reduced disposable income.

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa Acting General Manager Mike Kamau  is happy that bookings for Easter at his five star resort seem to be increasing steadily. “We have unveiled a complete new product with massive refurbishment here which is being done in phases and for us Easter promises to be good,’’

Kamau noted that other than security fears; the real threat to tourists is malaria. Heritage Group of Hotels Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Hersi assured that Mombasa is not under threat.

He urged Kenyans and the travelling world to support Coast by coming to holiday in Mombasa.