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Boniface Msangi

Hotels at the coast have started recording bookings for August holiday after re-opening a week after the cessation of movement was lifted granting entry into and out of Mombasa, Nairobi and Mandera.

The sector which was on its knees after closing businesses due to Covid-19 outbreak, is banking on domestic visitors and tourists from  Africa who have started booking for the high season next month.

“We have  banked a lot on this  high season starting  August, with hotels like Pride Inn Paradise and many others recording holiday booking, ranging from conference tourism to beach destinations which is a good sign,’’ said Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman Victor Shitaka.

Several hotels including Pride in paradise Shanzu, Voyager Beach hotel ,Reef beach Hotel, Bahari Beach hotel and Travelers beach have resumed offering hospitality services  while more are scheduled to  reopen in a week’s time .

Revive sector

Shitaka  who is also The  Pride Group of hotels Coast  Manager said  the re-opening  of the economy  was timely as it has allowed the industry to prepare and set the ground for the higher season, which though might not be like in the past, but will help to revive the sector.

He welcomed resumption of domestic flights and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Service, saying it will  facilitate the movement of domestic tourists while resumption of international services on August 1, will  fully open up the skies for international arrivals.