An Italian investor in Jacaranda, Watamu, wants beach operators banned from operating in front of hotels, saying they cause crime and scare off tourists.
Pasquale Tirito, the chairman of Jacaranda Group of Hotels, on Saturday said there are increased robberies of tourists on holiday.
The trend has hurt tourism, he said.
Tirito said a 30-year-old Italian tourist was robbed of a camera and mobile phone on the beach at 11.40am.
He said the suspect offered to escort her during a walk only to rob her. Tirito said the only solution is to create special zones for beach operators, hawkers and curio sellers.
The investor has filed a complaint with security agencies and the Tourism ministry, appealing for action.
He said tourism is recovering after more than four years of crisis and warned these crimes threaten investments.
