Some of my Kenyan relatives are still bitter with the off cuff remarks that President Uhuru Kenyatta made while on a visit to Israel when he said, the reason Kenya was lagging behind was because Kenyans were only good at abusing each other, promoting tribalism and are experienced thieves.

I laughed when I read the story because a few years back Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said something similar during a visit to Rwanda. Museveni, in the presence of his host President Kagame, said Uganda was full of thieves. I only pray that these two leaders have a concrete plan on how to deal with what they are talking about it because it is not so funny.   

That aside, I like the entrepreneurship side of the Kenyans. I think all East Africans should regularly visit Kenya to learn a few things regarding how they do their things there. I have been lucky to visit Kenya twice already this year and each time I pick a lesson or three.

This last time I learnt a lot from their tourism players. I am talking about how Kenyan hoteliers found themselves on the back foot when tourism dollars disappeared after a spate of terrorism attacks especially at the coastal region where most tourists head to.

I spent a few days touring the coastal region of Kenya visiting tourist sites, hotels and chatting with key players in the industry and I learnt quite a lot. 

The Kenyan coastal region is simply breathtaking. If you have not been to Watamu, Diani or Lamu yet please make the time (and money) to find your way there. You will thank me later.

The objective of my trip there was to assess how they are fairing now, how they have dealt with the challenges they faced and what others can learn from them. 

At Turtle Bay Hotel Watamu I met and had a chat with Damian Cook. Damian is one of the people behind the "Wonders of Watamu” project aimed at selling the area to the rest of the world. Damian won’t tire telling you that all they needed to revive tourism in Watamu was to embrace social media marketing and the results have been impressive.

He is armed with facts and figures of how social media is the go to platform for tourism especially since most people make the decision to travel after what they see others sharing on social media. 

I also had a chat with Ann Cheptumo, a tour operator, who said she only had two secrets for her success; using Facebook to market and always having a Plan B for her clients.   

In Mombasa, Monika Solanki who runs a tour company that has been in business since the 70s assured us that the town is peaceful even at night. She took us to a street restaurant for some Swahili dishes and a night drive around the town. She is a straight talker, "If a tourist cannot step out of the hotel to spend money then the locals are not benefiting.” In other words what does your town have to offer besides nice hotels and tourist sites?

Diani Reef Beach Hotel is managed by a one Titus Kangangi. Titus is a very hardworking fellow. He is also one of those who have woken up to the fact that East Africans do actually travel. During the Christmas season he had lots of guests from Uganda, Rwanda, DRC and even Burundi. He markets his property to all EAC countries.

Jeff Mulokwe, the manager of Swahili Beach assured us that he loves hosting Ugandans because, "When they decide to spend…they spend!” He laughs at hoteliers who don’t treat locals well on the assumption that only white people deserve such treatment based on spending habits. His advice to hoteliers, "treat East Africans well and they will keep coming back.”

Regional tourism is now a real thing now but it works best for those who have adapted their attitude towards the East African tourist. I know people who will walk away if a local hotel doesn’t have Ugali but has noodles. And if you are not using social media by now then you need strong prayers.

These are the kinds of stories that the good folks at the East African Tourism Platform, Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Tourism Federation wanted us to share with the rest of East Africa. The winds have changed direction and it is time to position your sails if you want to keep moving forward.