Hoteliers at the Coast and parks are optimistic of a better Easter season with occupancy projected to improve by up to 40 per cent compared to last year.
This is after two years of low business occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, that 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.
The nine-week school break has come as a blessing to the hotel and travel sectors, which are reporting increased early bookings ahead of the traditional peak season in April.
The country’s Coast region, mainly Mombasa and Diani, remain the leading destinations. Naivasha, Nanyuki and the Western circuit also continue to be attractive.
The domestic market has remained a lifeline for the tourism sector hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) projects an average occupancy of between 60-70 per cent across the region in April, compared to 30-40 per cent recorded last year, when Covid-19 restrictions were in place.
These include night curfew and restricted operating hours for restaurants, night clubs and other sub-sectors interlinked with the tourism and hotel industry.
“Last year we had a week for school holidays. People were also on pay cuts, some had been laid-off which made it difficult for most people to travel. This year is much better and we are seeing an increase in bookings,” KCTA chief executive Julius Owino told the Star.
Direct Kisumu-Mombasa flights have also helped drive numbers to the Coast, he said.
Baobab Beach Resort in Diani says while business is still low, mainly on few international arrivals, it foresees full booking over the Easter period by domestic visitors, mainly from Nairobi.
“We are currently getting something from the long school holiday but not as we wished. However, we are expecting a sellout during Easter,” management said.
Sun Africa Hotels projects 60-70 per cent for both Keekorok Lodge (Masai Mara) and Lake Naivasha Country Club.
Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel & Spa said they expect a bed occupancy of between 50-60 per cent, majority domestic visitors.
“We may see an increase as we approach the Easter Holiday as school holidays are on till the end of April 2022. The local market continues to generate most of the business for our properties,” said Catherine Chuani, director sales and marketing, Sun Africa Hotels.
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.
KAHC and KCTA are however concerned that the high travel cost driven by the rise in global oil prices, the rising inflation, the Russia-Ukrain war and reduced disposable income among households could affect the industry.
For instance, Mombasa has been receiving a direct charter flight from Ukraine every 10 days, bringing in about 200 guests but this has since stopped. Other charter markets affected are Poland and Romania.
Facilities in the Tsavo-Amboseli parks circuit are counting on last minute bookings, as business is still low at the moment.
“Most Kenyans are last minute people so we expect to see bookings towards the end of this month and early April,” said Willy Mwadilo, the region’s KAHC chairman.
Last year, domestic and regional markets were key drivers of the industry with Nairobi the biggest source for local tourists, as local passenger flight movement grew 30 per cent compared to a four per cent growth on international flights.
Total domestic bed nights were 3.1 million in the year to September– Tourism Research Institute data shows.
Uganda and Tanzania were also key in driving numbers in the sector with 80,067 and 74,051 arrivals respective, coming in second and third after the US, which topped with 136,981 visitors to Kenya.
The country had a total international arrival of 870,465, up from 567,848 in 2020. BY THE STAR