Hotels in Kenya’s seaside resort town of Watamu are busy following a rise in international visitor numbers.

According to Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast Branch Executive Officer, Sam Ikwaye, hotels in Watamu have occupancy of 80% compared with 30% in the same period last year.

He attributed the boom to peace in the destination and efforts by individual hotel owners to market Watamu in European source markets.

Ikwaye said winter had also contributed to the increase as visitors escaped the biting cold in Europe to soak up the sun on Watamu’s white-sand beaches. “Last year, tourism in Watamu was adversely affected by the political uncertainty over the August 8 General Election, as potential holidaymakers had developed a wait-and-see attitude.

Garoda Beach Resort, Resident Manager, Daniel Mwita, said the hotel was full after a group of tourists from Italy arrived last week. Since last month the hotel had been enjoying between 80% and 90% occupancy compared with 30% in the same period last year.

He said the hotel would continue to receive groups of international tourists up to April, when the low season began.

Jacaranda Beach Resort, Watamu, MD, Philemon Mwavala, said the hotel had 80% guest numbers compared with 40% in the same period last year. “Hotels in the resort town have guests from Italy, the UK, France and Czech Republic due to tourism promotions we carried out in these markets last year.”

Mwavala said hoteliers were promoting Watamu as a destination of its own in a bid to attract more holidaymakers. “Watamu has gained popularity in overseas markets due to the clean beaches, the alluring turquoise waters, the Watamu Marine National Park and the friendly people.”

Aquarius Club Resort, Watamu, Resident Manager, Hamisi Abdalla, added that since last month the hotel had been enjoying over 80% guest numbers with the majority of the visitors coming from Italy.