Tourism

TOURISM

JamboJet is putting Kenyan Coast tourism in big trouble

Worried words by Mohammed Hersi, chairman of KCTA

29-12-2016 by Mohammed Hersi

To Jambo Jet 
Firstly we appreciate that you serve Kenya Coast which is really not a privilege, you offer service and you get paid for it. Secondly you get preferential treatment hence other carriers do not easily get a licence to do the local route. 
Fair enough we can live with that but what we cannot accept is when you choose to sell tickets Nbi Ukunda or Nbi Malindi you delay a flight for hours only to dump your passengers in Mombasa.
I am sorry that is totally unacceptable, if it was a one off we understand these things do happen but it is now becoming more of the rule than an exception. 
Why would you sell more tickets than you can handle then you take a bigger aircraft that cannot land in Ukunda. Passengers heading to Ukunda chose a direct flight to avoid the pain at the ferry and you go ahead to subject them to the same pain again without any qualms. 
The same applies to Malindi , KQ your parent company gave you this route on a silver platter , you guys have left a real fine mess . Malindi/Watamu which was already in deep trouble is facing more trouble since willing guests cannot find their way to these beautiful resorts . I was in Malindi two days ago and I saw it for myself, cancellation because would be guests could not fly in.
Why don't you just sell what you can handle instead of giving a false promise of landing in Ukunda or Malindi only to land in Mombasa. In business that is deception and it creates a terrible negative vibe besides some passengers may opt to sue you. Please we want you to focus on flying rather than fighting cases.
I am writing this on behalf of all the tourism stakeholders at the coast and let me tell you we are not a happy lot. I hope you know how much damage you are doing to domestic tourism that we fought so hard to build over the last 10 years 
To KCAA, we have 30,000 + beds to fill, we have 100,000 Kenyans who earn both directly and indirectly from tourism at the Kenya Coast. As a regulator why do you allow such sloppy service? Your equal on matters communication give mobile telephone companies sleepless nights for drop calls and other mundane stuff while you guys sit pretty when holidays are messed up , connecting flight to international flights are all messed. You have a duty and a role to play. Take action .
To Jambojet we appreciate you have moved numbers for Diani but a simple rule sell only what you can handle . Taking passengers to Mombasa then by road to either Ukunda or Malindi is totally unacceptable. If they wanted to go by road they certainly don't need your help. As KCTA we shall officially make our case known. 
If local airlines are not able to run the show we have many fine reliable international guys who can happily serve these domestic routes after all as hoteliers we have so many international hotels in town. Why should an airline be treated any different. Those same international airlines will employ Kenyans they don't bring guys from Siberia while all the empty hotel beds at the coast will be full. I just don't get it.
Jambojet team serious wakeup call is needed.
Please can you ensure the remaining flights are all on schedule and please land at the right airport. I can't promise you fish and I serve you chicken and claim that it is still white meat.
As always a I choose to remain an optimist 
To everyone who chose Kenya Coast we say Asante Sana. As hoteliers we will make it up and please try to have some fun.
Happy Holidays 
Mohammed Hersi 
Chairman 
Kenya Coast Tourism Association formerly MCTA

TAGS: JamboJet KenyaMohammed HersiVoli MalindiMalindi Flights

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