Hoteliers in Malindi are now issuing special rates for tourists who would like to take part in the monthly clean-up exercise slated for this coming Saturday, aimed at helping to make the resort town cleaner and greener. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
In addition, the resorts are now giving up to 40 per cent discounted rates for the lovers of nature who will come and be part of the program of bringing back the town’s old lost glory.
The clean-up exercise in an initiative of Progressive Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) dubbed Malindi Green and blue aimed at Making the resort town a better destination.
The theme for the clean-up this month is Malindi eco fun day and is aimed at making tourists discover experience and give back to nature.
Tourists will have a chance for Malindi town tour, beach clean-up, planting mangroves along Sabaki river estuary, family and friends’ fun games and beach party.
Among the deals, available include special rates for hotels, lodges and camps, Air ticketing, home management and properties.
They include hotels such as Ocean beach resort and Spa, Plan resorts which comprise of as Plan Dreams Garden, Sandies Tropical village and dream of Africa together with White elephant Art lodge among others
According to Ms Maureen Awuor, the General manager ocean beach resort and Spa said this month they are focusing on making Plan Dreams Garden Malindi a green town and clean tourism destination.
Speaking in Malindi she said most of the stakeholders are already gearing up for the event and as hoteliers, they have been giving out special rates for those who would like to travel and participate.
“This time we are also planting the mangrove trees and we hope that we are going to be joined by many people from all over the country and maybe from the neighboring countries or even international to come and experience a green town,” she said.
Ms Awuor who is also doubles up as the chairperson of Kenya Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association said they have been working towards sustainable tourism which is why the tourism stakeholders of Malindi came together so that they could do the clean-ups on a monthly basis.
She said Hoteliers have teamed up and have given out their special rates which is up to 40 percent of the rates that they are giving out.
“So, we are urging the people who are conscious about their environment to come down here and experience it with us during this cleanup time,” she said.
Founder and CEO Big Five Venture Safaris Ms Catherine Muli said they have decided to do the clean-up in a different way that’s why they have come together to give the best out of Malindi.
“We want to welcome all the people from all the counties in Kenya to come and be with us to work together with us so that we can give Malindi the best out of us,” she said.
She said the aim is to bring back the lost glory for Malindi as they wait to start again the tourism sector which was hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said they have special offers for flights for and urged people to contact Big five ventures safaris.
Plan Resorts Malindi General Manager Alex Zissimatos said there are charters that are scheduled to come from Poland but most clients are headed to the south coast.
He said they are happy to be associated with the clean-up that’s why they have also issued special offers for tourists.
“Every second week of the month we have a big clean-up for Malindi which is not about cleaning alone but also creating awareness about litter because we live right next to the beach and its very important for us to have clean beach, he said.
Armando Tanzini the owner of White Elephant Art lodge said Malindi is an important destination that deserves the best for tourists to enjoy in clean environment.
Tanzini who have always been part of the monthly clean up said the move is very important and promised to dedicate more time and effort as it is a good investment for tourism.
