Gachagua Was Right- Tourist Expert On Mombasa Hotels Fully Booked Ahead of Christmas

Businessman and veteran hotelier, Mohammed Hersi, on Sunday, November 5 gave a detailed reason behind his agreement with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding Kenya's rapidly resurging tourism industry to the point he claimed all hotel rooms in destinations such as Mombasa and Maasai Mara have been fully booked until February 2024.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hersi opened up on how 2023 has been a successful year for Kenya's tourism industry given the increase in international arrivals, three years after the sector was massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The peaceful atmosphere that surrounded the 2022 general elections was also taken into consideration given how tension in election periods tends to negatively affect the tourism sector.

Hersi also revealed how since President William Ruto took office on September 13, 2022, more flights have been coming into the country, transporting tourists and foreigners visiting the country for official and unofficial duties.

A photo of hotelier Mohammed Hersi. /BUSINESS DAILY

"Open skies is happening faster in this regime than any regime we have had. Emirates getting more frequencies into Nairobi was a nightmare they now have their second flight and soon maybe even 3rd flight per day, Qatar likewise.

"South Africa did the same totally opened their skies. Etihad is also resuming NBI flights so is Indigo from India which is now serving Mumbai-Nairobi and many other flights," Hersi explained.

Furthermore, charters into Mombasa have been facilitated, with charter flights from Italy, Poland and emerging markets such as Romania and Bulgaria jetting into the country.

"A charter flight Condor was allowed with ease to convert to scheduled flights without unnecessary red tape. Ethiopian is now flying twice daily into Mombasa giving us 14 flights a week. From January Fly Dubai will also commence the Dubai-Mombasa flight keep in mind the new government also started the KQ (Kenya Airways) Msa Dubai flight.

"We are also certain that Qatar & Turkish will happen soon. KLM flying to Mombasa was denied a license last minute in December 2021. We need KLM to fly into Mombasa and that will surely make Mombasa a proper international airport," he elaborated.

Regarding hotels being fully booked as Gachagua indicated last week at the Kenya Revenue Authority Taxpayers Day event presided over by President Ruto in Mombasa, Hersi noted that December always presented a busy period for popular tourist destinations. The Coast region alone has been handling domestic and international arrivals since August.

The busy schedule has been attributed to more flights, even from low-budget airlines within the country as well as neighbouring countries Uganda and Tanzania, more arrivals via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Nairobi and the performance of the Kenyan shilling, moreso against the dollar.

"The depreciation of Ksh has helped retain Kenyans at home. Airfares and hotel stays abroad are all in $$$ yet our currency has lost close to 35% against other hard currencies this year. Naturally, it's cheaper to holiday at home," he went on.

Hersi also cited improved security in tourist zones hence the reduction of travel advisories that can potentially harm a destination. He commended the government's good relations with developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).

He also cited revenge tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon that has people who are tired of mundane everyday routines due to lockdowns, rush to travel to nearby destinations for short breaks.

"Many people just realized that a small virus can take you down hence many opted to see the world and live for the day hence term Revenge Tourism was coined and Kenya happened to be on the bucket list for many around the world," he noted.

"So by and large DP is right and in his usual style and as a politician there is absolutely nothing wrong with him to spice up the delivery. Rest assured we are headed to a record year and God willing we have a solid 3 more years before we get into the election mood again. Maasai Mara is also busy during the festive but our only concern is the new park fees. Time will tell how that pans out."

Gachagua at the time had urged those planning to visit the Coastal city for the Christmas holiday to consider other options such as going to the village.

He went ahead to encourage residents of Mombasa and other cities to consider hosting tourists in their homes, saying it would be good for the country in terms of “foreign exchange earnings and creating employment.”

Anybody who wants to travel to Mombasa for Christmas and you have not booked your room, go to your village and relax there with your ancestors- DP Rigathi Gachagua#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/yDiOuwp5bq — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) November 3, 2023