Pasaka mema. Happy Easter, as they say here. But on the Kenyan coast, in the tail end of the tourist season, will this Easter actually be "good"? The optimism of the trade associations, which often in their averages of hotel occupancy consider Mombasa and its environs as a reference point (it certainly raises precisely the general "average") is contrasted with a visible drop in attendance compared to at least what has been seen so far and could consequently be expected for Watamu, Diani and Malindi.
There are several reasons for this small decline: as far as so-called "mass" tourism is concerned, which has revitalized Watamu in terms of comings and goings from Italy, the closure of charter flights, the last return-only passage of which was recorded last Thursday, has practically written Kaibuni Tena's word, goodbye to the next season, which will presumably resume in July. Another significant presence usually, as far as public holidays are concerned, is Kenyans and Europeans living and working in Nairobi. In that sense the arrivals in Watamu have been there, as early as yesterday. But there is no talk of a major exodus like that of 2021. Reason? In the tail-end year of the pandemic, with still several travel restrictions, many stayed in Kenya and opted for warm places, given Nairobi's climate and early (sporadic actually) rains. There are many alternatives this year, including the possibility for many Westerners to drop in at home. Then there is the discourse surrounding Malindi, a place of longtime vacationers who have already said goodbye after the canonical six-month tourist visa, and of businesses taking a break, with owners and employees taking their first vacations after six months of decent work.
Slightly different discussion deserves Diani, which, thanks to increased tourism from nationalities other than Italian, can still count on German charters from Eurowings (owned by Lufthansa) and Ethiopian packages to Mombasa. Indeed, it is unfortunate that even NEOS did not want to invest in Kenya until at least the end of the month, given also the April 25 and May 1 long weekends. Zanzibar is still active and has demand; it is not clear why Watamu, where Alpitour has facilities that would have remained available, cannot be competitive in this respect. Fortunately, the "good summer" that has just ended in Kenya has put a smile on the face of the industry, which would not have been able to endure any more winter months of suffering. In Diani, entrepreneurs confirmed that they have recorded even higher numbers than in 2019-2020, the last pre-pandemic season abruptly halted after the first week of March. There is satisfaction in Watamu, too, and Malindi is back afloat, albeit having lost some local tourism and having to look more and more to the new reality of residential and business hospitality and less and less to actual vacations.
All in all, "Pasaka mema" to all and "Karibu tena" very soon!