Tourism stakeholders in Malindi have expressed optimism that international tourism in the town will peak in November.
A spot check by Baraka FM indicates that 40 percent of the resorts which rely on the domestic market had reopened after a four-month closure.
Hotels that are opened include Ocean Beach Resort and Spa, Driftwood, Diamond plans hotels, Krystal Bay, Hemingways, Turtle Bay in Watamu.
Kenya Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association North Coast Region chairperson Maureen Awuor who is also the General Manager of Ocean beach resort said the resort’s booking is currently at 60%.
”Hotels had to comply with the public health protocols which include a 1.5-meter separation from the table, sanitizing and handwashing facilities and mandatory wearing of masks before one is allowed” she said.
Awour, however, said that most resorts which rely on the International market are yet to open because of the low bookings.
“The high season for the international market starts in November since our skies are open, we are optimist that the international tourism market will pick up in November”
However, some hotels have opted to target the domestic market in the meantime.
Alex Zissimatos the General Manager of Diamond Plan group of Hotels said they are at 60% booking from the domestic market and an ongoing conference.
Zissimatos who manages the Sandies Tropical village, Dream Gardens, Dream of Africa, and Diamond Conference said they expect international tourists to start arriving in November.
”Skies have opened up and business will be back in October when we expect the international market will make a comeback,” he said.
August is normally a peak tourism season with hotels experiencing bookings from the domestic market.
Last month, Tourism CS Najib Balala urged stakeholders in the industry to embrace the domestic Market by developing packages suitable for the domestic market.
