Coast hotels, parks and game reserves and other key destinations are counting on domestics tourists for the Easter holidays with their main hope being Nairobians.
Last week, more than 50 hotel brands and local airlines pitched tent at the bi-annual ‘Holiday 2022 Tourism Fair’ at the Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi on a marketing campaign.
The offers ranged from holiday packages at the coast, Mount Kenya tourist circuit, Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli, and the Western Kenya circuit.
Traditionally, Nairobi has been a key feeder during holidays with almost every facility seeking a pie of the city residents this year, mainly the middle and upper class who holiday at the coast.
Other major towns that attract city residents during festivities are Naivasha (hotels and camping), Nanyuki, Nakuru and Kisumu with Airbnb and apartments the latest accommodation mode that is giving major hotel facilities a run for their money.
At the Coast, hoteliers project an occupancy rate of between 60-70 per cent for facilities in Mombasa, and between 70-80 per cent for Diani.
Last minute bookings expected next week could however push occupancy rate to above 80 per cent, the Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) notes.
“The least performing hotel is expected to have an occupancy of about 60 per cent ...thus for the beach hotels but generally the prospects are looking good” KCTA chief executive Julius Owino told the Star on telephone, yesterday.
Sun Africa Hotels which owns Keekorok Lodge (Masai Mara) and Lake Naivasha Country Club has reported increased inquiries for Easter following the expo, with greater interest coming from Nairobians.
“The domestic market has picked up ahead of Easter. We also have the school holidays where we are seeing a spike in the occupancy by families. We are projecting to do at least over 80 per cent during the Easter period,” said Catherine Chuani, director sales and marketing, Sun Africa Hotels.
Its Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel & Spa is expected to have an occupancy of above 80 per cent, majority domestic visitors.
“The outlook for Easter is very positive,” said Chuani, adding that the expo gave industry players an opportunity to seal deals.
She said while the main target for Easter is the domestic market, they are looking forward to seeing the entire business, including international travel, start to pick up this year.
“We are seeing the signs of a comeback this year with markets such as India and parts of Europe starting to travel despite the Russia -Ukraine war," Chuani said in a telephone interview.
Baobab which runs three luxurious properties – The Baobab, The Maridadi, and Kole Kole in Diani has also reported an increase in bookings, with full occupancy expected over Easter.
“We are expecting numbers from the domestic travelers whom we engaged successfully at the expo. Easter is looking good for us with almost all rooms booked,” management told the Star.
Facilities in the Tsavo-Amboseli parks circuit continue to bank on last minute bookings and walk-ins.
“Kenyans have this last minute culture which we have always seen so we expect to see increased bookings going into next week,” said Willy Mwadilo, the region's KAHC chairman.
Low budget carriers have also reported good business next week.
Fly 748 that provides both charter and scheduled services, has partnered with hotel facilities to sale complete travel and accommodation packages.
“The outlook for travel is positive both for domestic and international travel,” managing director Moses Mwangi said,
Chairman Ahmed Jibril said : “We are slowly leaving the Covid-19 turbulence behind us as the pandemic becomes endemic, giving more people confidence to fly as economies also open up to boost disposable income.”
This year’s Easter season projections are up by about 40 per cent compared to last year, giving hope to the industry that was almost brought to its knees by the pandemic.
A two-year drought led to closure of key tourist facilities countrywide.
At least 1.2 million full-time jobs were lost last year on the impact of the pandemic, according to report by the Tourism ministry.
This came with a Sh152.4 billion loss in labour income as employers in the industry cut operations on low visitor numbers.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers(KAHC) notes the review of Covid restrictions has eased travel for both international and domestic visitors.
“We are looking forward to a busy season. We want to take advantage of the long school holiday and the favourable weather,” KAHC executive officer Sam Ikwaye said on telephone.
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