•It attributes the increase to the ongoing domestic tourism campaign dubbed ‘you deserve a holiday'.
•Speaking in Nanyuki, KTB regional manager Alex Tunoi said the increasing interest among Kenyans to travel and explore their country was a major boost .
The hotel industry is set for a boost over next weekend's Easter holidays, on higher bookings mainly from the domestic market.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) projects a 10 per cent increase in bed occupancy of the domestic market, with Nairobi a key source.
It attributes the expected increase to the ongoing domestic tourism campaign dubbed ‘you deserve a holiday’, that brings together private players promoting domestic travel packages.
Speaking during the promotional campaign activities in Nanyuki, KTB regional manager Alex Tunoi said the increasing interest among Kenyans to travel and explore their country was also a major boost to the campaigns.
He noted that just like the Christmas holiday, the Easter period records increased travel activities, and the campaign will serve to further provide the domestic market with more affordable travel opportunities.
"The Easter period is one where we experience increased domestic travel and this campaign comes at the right time as we push to grow tourism further. Our projections show that bed occupancy will rise as we near this crucial holiday period," Tunoi said.
There is optimism emerging destinations such as Nanyuki will offer great opportunities for visitors, he added.
He has in the past six months led a team of over 20 trade partners, comprising tour operators, hoteliers and travel agents and airlines, in visiting various counties and corporate organisations to bring holiday offers at their doorsteps.
"With this being the penultimate phase of the campaign before we head to Mombasa, we expect that Kenyans will now have a reason to enjoy their own country,” Tunoi added.
Since its inception, the campaign has seen many organisations including golf clubs, malls, and churches in Machakos, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Laikipia being engaged.
The Laikipia phase saw significant participation, with KTB and the travel trade engaging in various activations around malls, golf clubs and churches, including visits to various attractions such as the Olpajeta conservancy and the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, which is a popular draw for tourists in the region.
The campaign aims to address the challenges that the tourism industry has faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, through providing platforms to connect and interact with potential travellers in Kenya.
Laikipia boasts of the big 5 and is also home to rare animal species such as the Mountain Bongo and the Black Panther.
"We look forward to more travellers enjoying our diverse tourism products that also includes hundreds of different bird species, unique cultural practices and scenic views,” governor Joshua Irungu said.
James Roberts, CEO, Tropic Air Safaris said the increased visibility of Nanyuki town through the campaign will help increase accessibility and growth of tourism in the Northern part of Kenya.
Tropic Air is the main operator at the Nanyuki Airstrip ferrying tourists to the region.
According to the Kenya Tourism Sector Performance Report 2022, the domestic bed occupancy between January – September was recorded at 3,677,872, compared to 3,105,413 recorded during the same period in 2021.
Hoteliers, mainly at the coast, are optimistic of good business during the Easter celebrations even as the high cost of living and global economic shocks remain a concern.
Hotels at Kenya's leading destination have started recording early bookings mainly from the domestic market, signalling improved occupancy this year unlike last year.
Majority of the domestic travellers are however seen to prefer last-minute bookings, which has traditionally pushed up numbers to full occupancy by some facilities.
The strong Easter projection comes after the sector recorded booming business over the December-January period, where the long school holiday was a plus for industry players.
Facilities in the busy Mombasa and Diani destinations have reported average occupancy of between 40 per cent and 70 per cent in the last two months, which is expected to rise to above 80 per cent during Easter.
“The Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) projects a 20 per cent growth this year compared to last Easter, chief executive Julius Owino said.
Apart from the Coast, other regions such as Maasai Mara, Amboseli, the Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit and Western Kenya are expected to record good business.