Kihara joni wrote:I have lived in Mombasa for 3 years now and sad to say that it is a shadow of what it was, business wise and development, since the start of insecurity tourism has taken a beating,land and house prices have sharply come down, but all in all the government has really neglected the coast, ie name one major project in mombasa away fro the airport and the port.
But if the calm that is around persists then things will pick up polepole.
Unfortunately security today is just not enough. Mombasa does not excite tourists, it does not keep one fully occupied and entertained. The product is tired and boring, it does not cater for a young clientele.
The main market for the coast is Europe and the euro is taking a beating kenya too is extremely expensive and the beach destinations we compete with are much cheaper and more vibrant and family friendly. With shopping plazas malls piazzas cleanliness and systems that work
If you say Kenyan hoteliers and tour operators are to blame because of thew rates look at the expenses of licences all over a windscreen, the business permits the fuel levy labour costs, cost of park fees and worst of all electricity costs.
Add on pilferage and theft and you know why kenya is expensive.
Then our reputation as a sleazy sex tourism destination for pensioners looking for a good time is the reason Kenyan tourism still exists on the coast. We call it true love when u see an 80 yu old mama with dentures and pleanty of excess skin is kissing a Kenyan kijana no older than 30 ripped and tight muscles. He is in love with her euros truly.
As that generation dies out Kenyan coast tourism will too especially now with the carrier competition from the rent a dread or rent a rastas.