Amid concerns about heavy rains affecting Christmas bookings, hotels along the Coast region are witnessing a surge in both domestic and international tourists in anticipation of the festive season.

In Mombasa, various festive activities have already kicked off, with hotels offering special packages tailored to meet the diverse needs of their clients. Travellers Hotel set the festive tone last week with a cake-mixing event and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Nicky Danjal, the Managing Director of the hotel, expressed satisfaction with the influx of guests, including loyal patrons. “Today, we mark the start of the Christmas festivities by illuminating the Christmas tree, and we have a range of packages to cater to different clients,” noted Mr. Danjal.

Mombasa County Deputy Governor Francis Thoya credited the growing number of tourists to the recently implemented open sky policy. “With the open sky policy in place, tourists can now fly directly to Mombasa from abroad, making it more affordable and less cumbersome,” explained Mr. Thoya.

As the festive season unfolds, most hotels are reporting a remarkable 90 percent bed occupancy. Bus and shuttle operators connecting Mombasa to various parts of the country are also experiencing high demand, as tourists flock to Mombasa. A check reveals that Standard Gauge Railway passenger trains are fully booked until mid-January.

However, despite the rising numbers, Victor Shitaka, Chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourism Association, highlighted that many tourists are being mindful of their expenses due to the high cost of living. “We have observed a trend of some opting to dine outside the hotels as a cost-cutting measure,” he remarked.