KENYA: Malindi Floods Worry Tourism Stakeholders

Tourism stakeholders in Malindi have raised concerns about poor drainage system and bad roads in the resort town.

They said it’s sad that they were making efforts to ensure the town is clean and green but had always gets flooded when it rains causing havoc to residents.

They spoke during Malindi's second major clean up on Saturday which brought together the business community, county and national government officials, and the youths.

Whenever it rains, Malindi gets flooded.

On Saturday, Kilifi county commissioner Magu Mutindika joined the cleanup team in the early morning rain.

The clean up initiated by tourism players, Malindi business communities, county, and national Government officials is aimed at making the resort town green so as to attract tourists.

Among those who took part in the cleanup is Kilifi County Chief officer for Environment Mariam Jenebi, Malindi Marine Park and National reserve senior warden Jane Gitau, the Italian community led by Freddie de Curatolo together with other people from different religious groups.

Others included Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Commercial Bank, Jambo Jet, Rotary Club of Malindi, Rotaract, Ocean beach Resort and Spa, Sandies Tropical Village, Kenya Association of Women in Tourism, Golf Club, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and industry among others.

We intend to make Malindi the Hub of Idd Celebrations just as Lamu has embraced the Maulid Celebrations, we invite people from East Africa region and the rest of the world to join us, Kate Mwikali the Chairperson of the clean-up organizing Committee said.

Mwikali said their aim is to tie the Idd Celebration, World Environment day and Malindi Clean up day as fusion cuisine celebrations together.

The seafront road shall host the three-day celebrations next month.

There have been complaints from residents and investors about the poor state of the beach road and other key roads in the resort town but nothing has been done to date.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: €300 A Night Lion in the Sun resort On Sale

Flavio Briatore(right) And Silvio Berlusconi (left)
Italian billionaire and ex-Formula One boss Flavio Briatore has said he is seeking a buyer for one of his exclusive luxury beach hotels in Malindi amid low tourist numbers.

Mr Briatore, through his hotel manager Philip Chai, said the move to sell the Lion in the Sun resort was occasioned by dwindling holidaymakers over the years which has negatively impacted Malindi's economy.

Speaking to journalists today, Mr Chai - who is also the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers North Coast branch chairman - said the exclusive resort is among six hotels that have remained closed in the county.

This is despite booming tourism in Watamu and Malindi resorts such as Kilili Baharini and Ocean beach among others following the end of the General Election.

Tourism used to fare well in Malindi and its environs in the 1990s until the country experienced the 2007-2008 postelection violence and Al-Shabaab terror threats, he said.

Mr Chai added that food stuff suppliers are also accruing losses since some stakeholders are unable to pay them due to bad business.

The Lion in the Sun, which first opened its doors in 2013, is located about 400 metres from Malindi Marine Park. It is opposite the Billionaire Beach Resort which is also owned by Mr Briatore.

Boasting a seasonal outdoor pool, spa centre and restaurant, it is famed for hosting international celebrities such as British supermodel Naomi Campbell and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

According to the hotel's management, a night at the Lion in the Sun costs about €300 (about Sh36,336) depending on the season.

Low bed occupancy and short term visitors are also the reason why most hotels in Malindi remained closed due to losses but in Watamu, Kilifi and Mtwapa the business is running, added Mr Chai.

This isn't the first time the billionaire has threatened to pull his investments from the town's tourism industry.

Last year, he said he was mulling exiting Kenya's hospitality industry due to bad infrastructure, heaping garbage and political squabbles in Malindi.

The delayed expansion of Malindi Airport, which is currently underway, was one of key issues singled out by the businessman as turning foreign investors away from the area.

However, the government is optimistic that the Sh5.6 billion expansion of the transport hub and tarmacking of the 110 kilometre Malindi-Sala road linking the town to Tsavo East National Park will revive tourism in the region.



Tourism Observer