Lamu County is grappling with an accommodation crisis as more than 600 tourists find themselves without lodging due to a surge in visitor numbers in the region.
While addressing the media, Engineer Vincent Sidai who is the General Manager for Infrastructure Development at the Kenya Ports Authority, noted that the most affected hotels are those close to the Lamu Port.
Sidai warned that the situation is likely to get worse as many people flock the area in order to tour and carry out their businesses around Lamu Port.
"I would like to appeal to the people of Lamu to take these opportunities, and build more hotels so as to meet the growing needs for accommodation," Sidai urged.
He noted that the situation is being exacerbated by the Lamu Port that has recently attracted thousands of people, some of who are working in construction industry.
He stated that Lamu Port is currently under expansion even as the operations pick up speed, and is expected to attract even more visitors in the coming years.
Sidai also noted that the shortage of accommodation is being felt most acutely in the hotels close to the port. These hotels are already operating at full capacity, and they are turning away tourists who have made reservations.
It was revealed that some tourists have been forced to sleep on the beach, hence having a negative impact on the tourism industry in Lamu County.
"Lamu Port is not just a business operation area, but it has also become a tourist attraction site where people work and experience leisure," the KPA boss stated.
The KPA boss also noted that some visitors have been forced to cancel their trips, thereby, having a knock-on effect on businesses in the area, such as restaurants and tour operators.
Consequently, the Kenya Ports Authority urged the county government and investors to consider exploring the possibility of building new hotels in the area.
In the meantime, tourists who are planning to visit Lamu County are advised to book their accommodation well in advance.
