Over 50 percent of tourism resorts in Kilifi County are still closed following the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tourism players said the majority of the facilities were closed after five counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado and Machakos were placed under lock down during the Easter week.
This 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.
Many say last year they could not do busi9ness due to the lock down but at least this time they are able to operate up to 9.30.
Since they are observing the protocols, they want the government to extend the timings up to 12 pm to enable them do more business.
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.
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 the president wakes up today and say from today on, we are closing ABCD not thinking of the repercussions there 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 collected money,” she said.
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, paid the money and the money all of a sudden someone is told you cannot travel,’’ she said.
She said Easter holiday is normally long and some suppliers also close business which forced them to buy some products earlier to keep stock in readiness for the guests.
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.
“That kind of decision when the president is taking is supposed to really think about it because it’s costing the business owners,” she said.
Currently she said it has been difficult for parents to take the children to school because of job losses in the county.
She said the government was imposing a lot of tax yet business was being interfered to including the one percent being imposed right now together with 16 percent VAT, 7 percent service charge, 30 percent income tax, permit, and licenses.
Mustafa Hussein the owner of Taheri restaurant in Malindi said even though the Covid-19 protocols gave them up to 10 Pm at least they did some good business this Eid.
He said a time like this last year there was no business at all due to lock down b\ but now at their restaurant which specializes on Indian Cuisine and fast foods there has been a good number of clients visiting.
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.