Mohammed Hersi . A hotelier passionate about Tourism & Governance in Africa

#WhyILoveKenya

Impact of Madaraka  Express on Mombasa & Kenya Coast  Hotels.

Firstly SGR core business is NOT passenger service. Cargo is the core business but as tourism players we are delighted.

Allow me to explain.

We have seen the huge domestic tourism campaign over the past years.  During the travel advisories, Nairobi  residents saved Mombasa. To get to Mombasa and Kenya Coast main option was to fly or hit the road. Despite all those challenges they still helped us survive and we cannot thank them enough.

During festive and busy weekends flight cost return can oscillate  between Ksh18,000 to Ksh 40,000. A family of 4 would be expected to cough say Ksh 80,000 If we assumed a ticket would cost 20,000.

If the same family opted for Madaraka Express and paid Ksh 700PP they would be looking at Ksh 5600 only which means they will have Ksh 70,000+ to spend at a good resort. Many ME  users have told me that the economy class is perfect besides there is more life there as opposed to the 1at class and they get a game drive across Tsavo as a bonus.

A hotel may charge say 20,000   A day for 2 adults  sharing with two children.  This family will now enjoy a weekend at a decent beach resort and still be left with Ksh 30,000 . What about all the small hotels on the island? They are all busy . It’s simply amazing. Now you can  see the power of affordable reliable available mass transport system.

Accessibility  is key to any destination.  If getting to a destination becomes too expensive and unreliable  then potential clients will simply go elsewhere or choose to stay at home.

Once KR  get the online bookings in place ( please work with Ticket Sasa and conclude this matter)  and more frequencies  then I see more Nbi based firms opting to  hold their meetings in Mombasa and Kenya Coast .

In the past many firms would avoid Kenya  Coast due yo cost of flying then Naivasha was discovered. Well for Naivasha hotels I don’t have very good news for you, the cheese seems to be moving back to the coast hence you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You now need to get creative and show Nairobians  why they have to come to you.

To Mombasa and Kenya Coast hotels, please put on your thinking hats. Get creative, make it easy and memorable  for Nairobi residents to choose your resort . Make it exciting, invest in entertainment, get creative chefs and give flawless service. What about helping your clients get return tickets since that is one thing that is worrying them.

Well I have seen a surge in arrivals in many North coast resorts more so on Fridays. School groups are also opting for Madaraka Express. I saw a ladies church group the other day. Folks Madaraka Express is indeed a game changer , June a quiet month has been fairly a good one.

Once the 2nd trip is introduced we are talking of 2000+ passengers a day either way. Well the choice is yours .

As always I  choose to remain an optimist

Mohammed Hersi

Chairman

Kenya Tourism Federation