Charles Odhiambo, a R.E.A.D. scholar studying Tourism and Hotel Management at University of Nairobi, shares his school trip experience!
REPORT ON THE COASTAL EDUCATION TRIP WHICH TOOK PLACE ON APRIL 2013
by Charles Odhiambo
(Personal note:
The coastal trip has given me more passion to capitalise all my energy in tourism for the leisure and recreation in the region is amazing. The personal experience was fullfiling for it was much more authentic than what I learn in class. The trip has also assured that my personality is in unison with my career and experienced the challenges that come with tour guiding and handling a group comprising of dynamic characters.
The opportunity has also assured that I went for a career that is crucial and more marketable in Kenya considering the high number of tourists in the region. By funding me to go the south coast school trip, R.E.A.D has made me fully backed in my career. I must admit that without R.E.A.D.’s support I would not have attended the crucial trip considering my poor economic background.
Thank you R.E.A.D.!)
BACKGROUND
After class lessons about the attractions in South Coast and many advantages the place has and challenges it faces, the college (University of Nairobi) organized an educational trip to south coast for primary experience, lessons that can be learnt from the state of that destination.
PLACES WE WENT
We were hosted at Destiny-Inn Hotel at Mtwapa for the entire trip. During the stay we went to several restaurants, beaches, hotels streets and other attractions. The attractions included:
(1)Fort-Jesus,(2)Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve,(3)Haller Park,(4)Diani,Galuk,Kinondo,Shelly and Tiwi beaches,(5)Likoni(6)Wasini island(7)Shimoni caves(8)Ukunda Airstrip(9)Mombasa town(10)Bamburi Cement industry.
LESSONS LEARNT
After my visit to several places in the South Coast I learnt the following:
(1)The place has several beautiful beaches which it heavily relies on. The management of the destination should be more creative in its packaging to boosts tourists diverse activities.
(2)Child and sex tourism is a reality which is practiced behind the general public and the government. This was evident in some of the restaurants we visited and photography is a prohibition. This are some of the vices that we in the tourism industry and government needs to curb.
(3)Though the local communities need to be involved in tourism industry, there is need fro the to be learned and be thoroughly informed; some tour guides in Fort –Jesus and Kisite Mpunguti had lesser information than we anticipated.
EXPERIENCE
South Coast is magical place to be considering many beautiful beaches, hotels, hospitable locals, high security levels, thrilling dhows, boats and ferry transport and it is the exact place to satisfy sun lust (sun,sea and sand).The warm temperature is amazing and the sea foods gives no experience like no other. However,the state of Mombasa road is not that pleasant which tiredness among other physical inconveniences and the many over speeding trailers are a great threat to the road safety. If this challenges are addressed then the experience will be amazing; it will be a paradise on its own.