Tourism players in Kilifi county have expressed optimism the industry will experience a boom after the formation of new county and national governments.

The stakeholders said they have high hopes for President William Ruto and particularly Governor Gideon Mung’aro who has experience in the tourism sector.

They spoke during the monthly clean-up organised by the Progress Welfare Association of Malindi.

The exercise brings together different stakeholders from the business community, hoteliers, school children and their teachers and Islamic leaders, among others.

The exercise is aimed at making Malindi greener and cleaner.

During this month’s clean-up, Italians who normally participate in the exercise but travelled during the Covid-19 pandemic came back with pledges to continue supporting the programme.

The spokesman of the Italian community in Kilifi county Freddie Di Curatolo said they were happy as a community for witnessing a peaceful election and transition.

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Curatolo said reservations were still ongoing though there is still a problem with the increased costs of jet fuel which has made flights expensive.

He, however, said they expect a good season in December as all hotels that were closed in Malindi and Watamu have reopened.

Curatolo said they were happy for Mung’aro for being elected Kilifi governor as he had extensive experience in the tourism sector having worked for Italian billionaire Flavio Briatore in the 1990s before becoming mayor and MP for Malindi.  Crtsy Star