Kenya ferry to improve services during festive season,kwale
Commuter Ferry/Photo Courtesy
By Caroline Kahonzi
Kenya association of hotel keepers and caterers coast region are calling upon Kenya ferry services management through Kenya ports authority to improve their services at Likoni ferry to facilitate transportation to Diani ,Kwale county during this festive season .
According to the association, the delays experienced at Likoni ferry may create a bad experience for tourists crossing to the south coast.
Speaking to journalists after a security consultative meeting on tourism preparedness with security and tourism stakeholders at Neptune hotels Diani ,Kenya association of hotel keepers and caterers executive director coast region Sam Ikwaye said KFS should bring to speed repairing of ferry that are not on good condition before the peak of this season .
“it is a norm to get prepared before receiving any guest ,we should ensure that transportation is not delayed ,in most cases guest spend many hours traveling so when there are delays at the channel means some guest will miss their travels or those who manage reaching to our hotels ,arrives while exhausted and this affect their experience ,we are pleased with how Kenya ferry offers their services ,they reported two ferries to be on bad condition but promised to repair them before the high peak time come to an end to ensure smooth transportation ,”said Mr.Ikwaye .
The executive director confirmed the coast region to record 80 to 90 percent of tourists booking, with the south coast recording over 90 percent.
“ Now that we have the longest holiday we found it very paramount to make the best preparations for our guest ,we have had Covid 19 challenges for two years that made tourism sector to collapse ,we are happy that Kenya did very well during August general election no insecurities were reported and this move has lead to recovery of tourism sector and already tourism hotels have recorded over 90 percent bookings during this festive season ,”Emphasized Mr.Ikwaye .
Echoing his sentiments ,executive director Baobab beach resort and spa Diani ,Jeff Mkolwe said it’s very important for safety and security to be guaranteed to their guests ,already the hotel has nearly 700 tourists and 700 guests are expected in Neptune hotels Diani .
“ Thousands of tourists are expected here in Diani ,so it is very important for them to know that they are safe ,so as to be free from moving along the beach or visit nearest restaurants with assurance of safety ,”Reiterated Mr.Mkolwe .
Mr. Mkolwe confirmed receiving high numbers of tourists from foreign countries this festive season.
“We thought we would receive many local tourists ,indeed many of them are locals but guests from foreign countries are also coming , we had peaceful elections on August and it gave many tourists confidence to come to our country ,we have tourists from Bulgaria ,Germany ,US Britain we have a very good mix of domestic and foreign tourists and that factors our tourism sector to grow ,” Said Mr. Mkolwe.
On his side Kwale County Commissioner Gedion Oyagi assures locals and tourists of adequate security during this festive season.
“I want to assure you that we have beefed up security in this county during and after this festive season ,there will be 24 hour patrol , along the beach ,borders and other areas of the county to ensure all places witness safety , the area is safe and I welcome any guest to come and enjoy the breeze of our beaches “,Noted Mr. Oyagi .
M r. Oyagi said the police department is working closely with county askaris in bid to address the challenges of insecurity.
“We have a tourist police unit that deals specifically with tourists safety, we have increased the number of police officers from different departments to ensure locals and guests celebrate under a conducive environment,” Added Mr.Oyagi .
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