The negative effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on tourism have continued to be witnessed as more than 50 per cent of tourism resorts in Kilifi County are still closed.
It is sad state of affairs as the pandemic continue to render hundreds of thousands of people jobless, forcing families’ dependent on the tourism sector reeling in hard economic times.
Tourism sector players now say the majority of the facilities were closed after five counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado and Machakos were placed under lockdown during the Easter week, a situation they said led to massive cancellations of bookings.
Consequently, restaurants in Malindi are open but still operate on low key due to the strict timings set up by the government.
Some restaurant owners said they got a booming business during the Eid celebrations as clients flocked in for dinner even though the timing is strictly up to 10 pm.
Kenya hotel Keepers and Caterers Association Chairperson in charge of the North coast region Maureen Awuor said currently over 70 per cent of the staff working in tourism resorts have lost their jobs.
In an interview with the media in Malindi, she said the few who are still working are being paid 50 percent of their salary but majority are jobless and suffering in their homes.
“The business cannot be as usual because when for example President Uhuru Kenyatta wakes up today and announces a lockdown and not thinking of the outcome will be.
You see like when the president closed the counties and restricted movement of people, he never put in mind that there were businesses that had booked and collected money for events and reservations,” she said.
The sector players said even though they could not do business last year due to the lockdown, but at least this time they are able to operate until past nine.
Ms Awour said since they are observing the protocols, the government needs to extend the timings up to 12 pm to enable them do more business.
Ms Awuor who is also the Ocean Beach Resort and SPA general manager said during that time they were just in the week of Easter and travelers had already booked the hotels.
“Most clients had booked their hotels for events and reservations. They had paid for the services when suddenly there was the lockdown. The repercussions were heavy and it leads to losses,” she said.
The GM said they were forced to remain with supplies as products like fish, chicken or vegetables because the country had been closed and people could not travel.
“The President has to really think hard about the effects of hotel business and the other sectors when making decisions pertaining the pandemic. Much as we are taking precautions, as hotel players, we have adhered to all the ministry of health covid-19 ministry of health protocol and our businesses should be spared,” she added.
She said it is currently difficult for parents to take the children to school because of job losses in the county, mostly occasioned by hotel closures because of the pandemic.
“The government is imposing a lot of tax yet businesses were being interfered to including the one per cent being imposed right now together with 16 percent VAT, 7 percent service charge, 30 percent income tax, permit, and licenses,” she said.
According to Mr Mustafa Hussein, the owner of Taheri restaurant in Malindi, even though the Covid-19 protocols gave them up to 10 Pm at least they did some good business this Eid.
“A time like this last year, there was no business at all due to lock down but we can at least now record a good number of clients visiting our restaurant,” he said.
The restaurant specializes on Indian Cuisine and fast foods.
He thanked the government for opening up the restaurants though with limited time and disclosed that they were observing the Covid 19 protocols.
“All clients entering the restaurant have to wash their hands, there is a watchman who tests the temperature to ensure that they are safe to prevent the spread of Covid 19 pandemic,” he said.
Mohamed Khatib Abdalla a resident of Malindi who lives in upcountry said Malindi used to be a major tourism hub but the situation has really changed as hotels are empty.
“The government needs to extend the curfew hours for restaurants up to midnight so that businesses can generate income,” he said.
