Watamu increasingly in the dreams and bookings of travellers and those who want to afford a special holiday. This is according to a number of international sites, from South Africa to Dubai, by Tourism Update.
If in Italy the Kenyan destination has for a year now returned to occupy the showcases of travel agencies and the best online windows of specialised sites, even abroad now when one speaks of Africa combined with the sea, Watamu is even more coveted than Zanzibar, because if one explores holiday possibilities that include more than just a white beach in the presence of the Indian Ocean, there is no contest.
The Arab island off the coast of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania can only compete with the ancient town of Stone Town, with its quaint alleyways and little shops, but to go on safari from Zanzibar, for example, you have to fly in and the costs clearly rise. The same applies to special marine excursions, given the beauty of the Mida Creek ecosystem. Moreover, in Watamu, within the space of a few kilometres, one can choose from at least five different beach settings, including the most enclosed bays, the longest stretch of sand, open spaces for kitesurfing, enchanting little coves such as the island of love at Paparemo Beach, and the sand atolls of Jacaranda Bay.
The hotelier's association also indicated an increase in occupancy this year in the mid-to-low season, up 30 per cent on last year. The association attributed the boom to the destination's aura of relaxation and fun, and to efforts by individual hoteliers to market Watamu in European source markets.
The social explosion of gathering places such as Paparemo Beach itself, with its events for young people, and the Licht House, as well as many new restaurants and a general rise in the level of gastronomic offerings, played a major role.
There is also a figure for houses and villas for rent, both on booking platforms such as Booking and AirBnB, and by word of mouth. Situations in seaside residences also entice family tourism, which adds to that of the young and very young, and to the already existing tourism of pensioners and repeaters who love Africa and often stay a few months a year.
And so Watamu the up-and-coming is once again preparing for another exceptional season, with enthusiasm and without losing heart as it waits for some outstanding issues with local and national institutions to be unblocked, from the Malindi international airport, which, apart from direct international flights, could begin to entice Kenyan companies to increase flight frequencies and not speculate too much on fares, and the coastal road that would join Watamu to Malindi and which for now is advancing at a lame turtle pace. Some recent meetings and the push by Italian politicians and businessmen, gives hope that together with comforting numbers that also affect the economy at home, the coming season could be a turning point.