From this weekend, the Kenyan coast will have its first taste of the season and a tasty appetiser of tourism, before the predictable Christmas binge.
The weather forecast still predicts a tail end of scattered showers, but for the most part it will be sunny and temperatures around 30 degrees.
The opening of the equatorial summer corresponds, when the possibility of 'bridging' permits, with the Kenyan national holiday, 12 December, which this year falls on a Tuesday, also facilitating local tourism on the first long weekend of the peak season.

Kenyans and foreign residents of Nairobi (who increasingly appreciate resorts such as Watamu, Lamu and Kilifi and also continue to frequent Diani and Malindi) are joined by the people of the 'winterers', mostly Italians, who come to take in the best of seaside Africa for a period that can range from three to six months and join those who are already in Kenya.

In the meantime, the number of weekly stays in hotels is also increasing, and northern Europeans, who have been put off by the harsh temperatures in their home countries, are beginning to flock to the seaside resorts near Mombasa (Nyali and Bamburi). Weekly charter flights will also increase in the coming weeks, while connections from Nairobi, where most of the airlines from the rest of the world land, to Malindi and Ukunda airports are also expected to be increased.

Of course, times are what they are and Kenya cannot be blamed for flight prices: by now, between fuel price hikes, various controls, route changes, airport adjustments and aircraft maintenance, travelling to long-haul destinations has become quite an expense that puts a strain on travel, especially for families and those who, though with few resources, dream of holidaying in Africa.

Everything is ready, in short, to give the tourism sector a breather and prepare it, hopefully, for a positive season. The premises, especially for some realities such as Watamu, which every year offers novelties with renovations, shows and events, are good.
The new Minister of Tourism, Alfred Mutua, who is often present in Malindi, has for some time now undertaken a campaign to make the arrival of tourists less problematic, both with regard to the treatment reserved for baggage control, where all too often there are attempts to request 'gratuities' and episodes very close to extortion, and with regard to the ventilated increase in the cost of the entry visa.

In a recent appearance at an Italian event, in the presence of our ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, Mutua also reiterated its interest in creating more air links from Nairobi to Malindi and improving infrastructure and coastal roads. Not surprisingly, a few days later, work began on the resurfacing of Malindi's main road artery, Lamu Road.

On the other hand, Mutua has asked hoteliers and business owners in the seaside resorts to adapt their facilities to the evolution of international tourism, to help make the destination more competitive, just as many lodges and tented camps in the parks and national safari reserves have done. Too often entrepreneurs and hospitality managers have been lulled on the laurels of an undeniable natural, climatic and tranquil paradise and have neglected services and 'upgrades' of facilities.
Here comes a new season to prove that the 'Kenya Riviera', as some are calling it, can be one of the world's premier winter holiday destinations.