Tourism at the Kenyan Coast, Mombasa, is booming with hotels reported 76 percent of booking with a target of hitting 100 percent by 24th December 2017.
On Thursday, a cruise ship ferrying more than 800 tourists docked at the port of Mombasa further signaling goodies this festive season.
Most hotels have reported an influx of local tourists who have taken their families to the coastal town as Christmas beckons.
Hotel operators have attributed the increase in local tourists to the construction and completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). From Nairobi to Mombasa, Kenyans pay a minimum of 700 shillings via SGR as compared to between 1,200 and 1,500 charged by buses.
Kenya’s tourism sector has been ailing for the past few months when the country plunged into political uncertainties. This led to some countries like the United States of America and the United Kingdom to issue a travel advisory to their citizens.
Apart from hotels in Mombasa, vacation homes in the region are also beaming with business as demand for accommodation for Christmas and New Year holiday skyrockets. Vocational homes overlooking the ocean have already been 100 percent booked.
Local tourists have however complained over the doubling of the hotel charges in Mombasa following the sharp rise of people flocking the coastal city. According to Mohamed Hersi of Kenya Tourism Federation, the charges have risen by between 40 and 50 percent during this festive season.
The cost of half-board-bed and breakfast has increased from 7,500 shillings and 20,000 shillings to 15,000 and 40,000 shillings. Last year, tourism earnings increased to 99 million shillings after the arrival of 1.39 million visitors from 84.6 million shillings in 2015.