Coastal tourism back on track
KENYA is currently
marking the lifting
of travel advisories
cautioning travellers about
the country’s coast. The
advisories were issued in
the wake of incidents of
terrorism in the recent past.
On the back of that, the
country’s tourism Cabinet
Secretary, Najib Balala,
has announced a budget
for developing beach
product and marketing the
coast. In addition, tourism
players have discussed
the formation of a tourism
management company to
enhance beach product in
Mombasa, Diani, Malindi,
Watamu and the Lamu
archipelago.
Fatma Bashir, regional
marketing manager of the
Kenya Tourism Board, told
TNW recently that over and
above improving security
on the coast, measures to
enhance the flow of tourists
to the region had included
allocating KES1,2bn
(R150m) to a Charter
Incentive Programme
that aims to recover lost
business from tourist
charters.
Infrastructurally, Fatma
said there were plans
for the construction of a
bridge linking Mombasa
Island and the south coast.
This project would ensure
efficient tourist transfers
between Diani resorts and
Mombasa.
Further, the building of
a cruise docking berth to
enhance the cruise tourism
segment was picking up,
following improved security
in the Indian Ocean waters.
Wholesaler sentiment in
South Africa is positive,
too. “We have been
promoting and encouraging
the South African market
to travel to Mombasa and
Malindi and on safaris,”
says Thompsons Holidays’
pr and media manager,
John Ridler. “We regularly
negotiate specials to
enable us to put out
affordable deals for this
region.”
There’s also resurging
MICE interest in the coast,
where some resorts
have sizeable conference
facilities. The location
is affordable, with ability
to compete with South
African favourites such as
Thailand and Mauritius.
Thompsons has offered the
Kenyan coast to a number
of clients and hopes to
convert these to sales a
little later this year.
In general, the MICE subsector
has much potential
for Kenya and, according to
Fatma, currently generates
14% of total tourist arrivals
to the country.
With its central position
on the continent, ease
of access and status
as an East African
business hub, Nairobi
is a key player in the
country’s MICE business.
These advantages have
attracted hospitality sector
investors, cashing in on
the increasing number
of business meetings in
the city. Fatma named
international hotel chains
such as Radisson Blu and
Kempinski as examples
of recent developments,
contributing both bed
capacity and conferencing
services.
Naivasha and Mombasa,
she said, also enjoyed
their share of local and
international conference
tourism.
“Lately Kenya has hosted
high-profile events that have
not only had positive impact
on the rise of conference
tourism numbers, but built
on to the brand equity of
the country,” she said.
Cultural coastal add-ons
A WORTHWHILE cultural
activity to consider when
holidaying in Mombasa is
the sound and light show at
Fort Jesus, which was built
in the 16th century by order
of the King of Portugal.
Guests are welcomed to
the fort by local Portuguese
and Arab fire-bearers, says
John Ridler of Thompsons
Holidays. They sit down to
watch a dazzling sound and
light performance, followed
by a sumptuous five-course
dinner served alfresco
within the ramparts of the
fort.
The Kenya Tourism
Board suggests, as a
cultural experience, a
tour of Mombasa’s old
town sites, that includes
Fort Jesus, and a cup of
tea at one of the outdoor
restaurants, complete
with local delicacies such
as Mahamri (a coconut
doughnut), Bhajia (vegetable
snack), Mkate wa Sinia (rice
and coconut cake). Swahili
cuisine, it points out, is
readily available in many
restaurants.
They also highlight
the Mombasa Carnival
and its festive parades
staged every November in
Mombasa, as well as the
Maulid Festival, a monthlong
commemoration of
the birth of the Prophet
Mohamed, climaxing in a
three-day celebration in
Lamu in December. Lamu
also hosts an increasingly
popular Yoga Festival in
March.
Thompsons additionally
presents its Mombasa
visitors with opportunities
to sample travel on a
traditional dhow. A clutch of
sailing excursions will take
guests to marine parks,
prime snorkelling spots, and
dolphin spotting locations.
These day trips include
great eating experiences.
From Malindi, a visit to the
Gede ruins is a Thompsons’
recommendation. These are
the remains of a medieval,
walled Swahili-Arab coastal
settlement. Buildings
include mosques, a palace
and numerous houses.
Thompsons combines the
site with a visit to Watamu
beach for a walk along
the coral reef and some
relaxation.
