Governor Abdulswamad Nassir is calling on the Ministry of Roads and Transport to embrace the open skies policy to open up the Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
Nassir said the Port City is not in competition with anyone except itself and no city can be able to offer what Mombasa has to offer in tourism attraction.
He wondered why other regions in the world can attract more tourists’ than Mombasa.
“The answer is only one,” he said, “The hindrance of allowing tourists to be able to come into Mombasa directly”.
“As much as the national government has given piecemeal licenses to be able to land within our airport. An airport that can be able to handle transatlantic flights but that is a dead asset if we are going to be able to utilize it to its maximum capacity,” explained Governor Nassir.
The airport, he added can handle more airlines than what it is currently handling.
“As much as the National Government wants to protect our national airline. The amount of money that we are losing from the tourism industry supersedes the amount of money that we are gaining by trying to protect an airline,”
By having an open sky policy, he noted that all airlines would be able to land in the coastal city and would open the county to an excess of 300 cities in the world.
“If those airlines that have shown interest and have already put their stake and they wish to land in Mombasa but because of bureaucratic challenges of not allowing them to land in Mombasa. We are missing an opportunity of 300 cities plus converging within Mombasa,” stated Governor Nassir during the marking of UN Tourism Week and World Tourism Day at the Treasury Square Garden.
The airport, he observed, handles a paltry ten per cent of the tourists that come into the country, 65 handled by the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the remaining 25 per cent by land and sea border points.
He vowed not to relent until the Open Sky Policy is realized which will have a ripple effect on the Coast region.
On her part, Chief Officer Department of Tourism Pauline Odinga called for the regulation of furnished apartments for short stays famously known as Airbnbs to safeguard the safety of tourists.
Tourism establishments have witnessed an increase in local tourists as many Kenyans flock to the city to witness activities lined up including a premier Tuktuk rally for the marking of the UN Tourism Week and World Tourism Day.
Hotel Sapphire General Manager John Yegon lauded the County Government of Mombasa for marketing the City through the UN Tourism Week.
“Tourism is a big player in this region, especially Mombasa. Tourism touches every single part of the economy. Every vendor will supply something to a tourism establishment.
He urged the County Government to improve on road infrastructures leading to hotel establishments.
“We would like the County Government to work alongside establishments of tourism to help in security for our staff and also for our guests that are coming in, light up the city in dark areas.
The GM said the City on the island has a lot to give, for instance, the Old Town is a magnificent place for history and culture ditto Mama Ngina Water Front.
By Sadik Hassan
