The numbers are more than flattering and travel agents confirm that not only has the upswing in international tourism begun, but there is much more enthusiasm than fear on the part of Italians who, after 2 years of pandemic, have seen a real war raining down on Eastern Europe, an invasion such as has never been seen in the West (the invasion of the countries of the former Yugoslavia has always had the painful and terrible characteristics of an ethnic civil war and has never touched on our interests or evoked risks for us).
So, along with the confidence to fly to Africa, an old habit of our compatriots is also back, supported by the need to feel safe, protected and pampered: the package vacation in tourist resorts. Already in 2019, before the pandemic crisis, tourism experts had almost celebrated the "de profundis" to this type of organized travel, to what they defined as an outdated form of vacation, the all-inclusive villages and perhaps even with entertainment and other formulas to favor fun and relaxation within the structures, rather than travel, adventure and inventing itineraries or finding independent lodgings.
No one could foresee that lockdown and precariousness of the world would lead so many people, especially families, to reconsider the safe vacation in a resort.
In this sense, seaside destinations like those on the Kenyan coast (as well as Zanzibar, of course) are favored. Meanwhile, many hotels, especially in Watamu, are already prepared to handle this kind of tourist. Then they have everything they are looking for abroad: beautiful beaches and sea, staff and others who speak our language, Italian cuisine with local delicacies such as tropical fruit and shellfish within reach of the wallet...in short, there is the risk of willingly falling back into the clichet that has accompanied the life and economy of the northern Kenyan coast for thirty years.
In the recent past, with the vision of those who would like a traveler to choose Kenya for what it represents in terms of nature, landscapes, traditions and that bit of snobbery of those who know certain wonders that resort tourists rarely visit, we have dreamed of and sought a different, selected influx, having to be content with other customers who are not always satisfactory or with local tourism, which, however, feeling at home, does not always exalt the virtues of the country we would like to promote.
So if the recovery will be, let's be content for now with the return of the "all inclusive", of those who will have understood everything, but we continue to advise especially to those who approach Kenya, to always inform themselves in the most complete way and get the idea that this country really offers something special that all other destinations in the world do not have: at acceptable prices, the possibility, for example, to experience a safari just over an hour away from your hotel room, an experience that many can afford once or twice in their lives and that will remain forever etched in the memory. Or that of discovering the wonderful natural habitat of the mangroves with a special boat excursion. Not to mention the amazement you will feel visiting local villages, drinking water from a coconut freshly taken from a palm tree and so on.
If you are a charter tourist and organized vacation, karibu! Welcome as they say here, but be sure to experience Kenya and not just a resort, no matter how heavenly and cozy, to be stuck in the collection along with other vacation destinations around the world.