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New campaign launched to make Malindi Africa's top tourist destination

The Sandies Tropical Village in Malindi. (Photo: Sandies Tropical Village)

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The Malindi Municipality Board says it is fully committed to showcasing Malindi's unique charm and attractions to the global tourism market.

The Malindi Municipality Board is leading a comprehensive campaign aimed at rejuvenating Malindi town and establishing it as the premier tourist destination in Africa.

Through a strategic framework encompassing infrastructure upgrades, environmental preservation initiatives, and cultural revitalisation programs, the board is fully committed to showcasing Malindi's unique charm and attractions to the global tourism market.

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Chairman Omar Salim and Town Manager Johnson Mwabati have acknowledged that the town's cleanliness falls short of expectations.

They have pledged to collaborate with other stakeholders to enhance the town's cleanliness and appeal to both local and international tourists.

Omar recognised the significant challenge of restoring Malindi's former status as a thriving tourist destination and emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve this goal.

He expressed confidence in addressing issues and implementing development initiatives to rejuvenate Malindi as the top choice for visitors.

Year-round tourism hotspot

Omar also emphasised the board's aspiration for Malindi to evolve into a year-round tourist hotspot, offering a wider array of experiences and products while also undergoing a rebranding.

To accomplish this goal, the chairman outlined the board's focus on tasks such as cleaning road reserves, creating new public spaces along the stretch from the BP filling station to the Malindi police station, enforcing uniform building colours, establishing roadside parks, and initiating green projects, among other initiatives.

"To promote our tourism, we can utilize various strategies such as airing continuous television programs, advertising tourism activities, displaying tourism messages on signage, organising public barazas, and leveraging digital platforms, including social media, to expand our global reach," he said.

Omar confirmed that the board plans to emphasise distinctive locations like museums, historical sites, natural scenery, and cultural landmarks to draw tourists.

“There is the intention to unify the colours of buildings in the town for enhanced attractiveness, with consideration for the challenging economic circumstances by allowing building owners sufficient time for painting,” he said.

Board member Conrad Atyan emphasised the importance of not hurrying the projects but rather strategically advancing with the participation of all stakeholders for optimal outcomes.