1. Posted on Tuesday 11 March 2008 - 08:37

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   Evans Wafula

   

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   Evans Wafula, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya

   The ministry of tourism has appealed for a further 2 billion shillings for the marketing of Kenya as a preferred tourists destination in the next two years. Key players in the tourism sector have attributed the decline due to the negative publicity that the country received during the post-election violence.

   

   Last week, the ministry of tourism launched a vigorous campaign to promote and market domestic tourism in Kenya. The initiative is aimed at encouraging domestic tourists to visit major tourists spots in the country.
   
   Co-sponsored by the Kenya Tourism Board and the Nakumatt holdings - the Nakumatt Smart Safari promotion aims at encouraging local tourists to visit some of the most popular tourism spots in Kenya.
   
   The initiative offers affordable packages for local tourists allowing them to access major tourist destinations at concession rates that include airfare and accommodation.
   
   Tourism suffered a major set back following the post-election violence that hit parts of the country’s popular tourists spot. In Mombasa, Charter flights dropped to below 5 per cent and bed occupancy reduced to below 10 per cent due to massive cancellations occasioned by travel advisories issued to international tour operators.
   
   According to the Kenya Tourism Federation, local and international travellers cancelled their bookings in anticipation to political uncertainty.
   
   “We experienced a Sh 4 billion loses in conference tourism following massive cancellations of major international conferences scheduled for Kenya”, said Fred Kagwe, Chairman of the KTF.
   
   In Mombasa, Serena Beach hotel has registered a declined in bed occupancy from 90 per cent to under 10 per cent forcing the hotel management to lay off its casual staff while placing others of forced leave.
   
   “We have adopted a cost-management approach in order to remain relevant. We have laid off staff and only operate with numbers comparison with guests”, said Alan Igambi, assistant general manager Serena Beach hotel.
   
   The hotel is gearing for a major boost from local tourists attributed to aggressive marketing of domestic tourism.
   
   ?We are projecting an increase in bed occupancy of over 100 per cent during the coming Easter holiday due to our attractive and affordable packages offered to our domestic clients?, said Alan Igambi.
   
   Meanwhile, key players in the tourism sector have commended efforts by the government to woo more tourists back into the country.
   
   The Kenya Association of Tour Operators has appealed to the government to suspend the Charter landing fees and visa fee for tourists willing to visit Kenya.
   
   In Mombasa, the chairman of the Mombasa and Coast Tourists Association, Mr. Kuldip Sondhi, commended efforts by the government to visit major source markets as a positive sign that will encourage tourists to come back.
   
   “We would be in a better position if the current visa fee and Charter flight landing fees are reviewed with an aim of suspending the fees for a short-term period of six months”, Sondhi said.
   
   Analysts have warned that the sector will recover after two years of aggressive marketing aimed at repackaging Kenya as preferred tourist destination. Travel advisories issued by UK and the US has led to a wait-and-see attitude among tourists considering travelling to Kenya.
   
   “We have just emerged from months of political instability that was characterized by weeks of post-election violence, the Kenya Tourism Board has unveiled a recovery programme aimed at marketing Kenya as a preferred tourist destination in the region and all this efforts require more time to yield results”, said Laban Onditi, Vice chairman, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
   
   Onditi also appealed to the UK and the US governments to consider removing the travel advisories issued against Kenya. He commended President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga of signing the peace deal that brought to an end weeks of post-election conflict that sparked after the dispute Dec 27 Presidential elections.
   
   Keywords: business kenya travel

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Reactions

1. Posted on Tuesday 11 March 2008 08:51

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   Dipesh

   

   Dipesh Pabari
   65 berichten
   Lid sinds September 2007

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   Kenya stands to lose so much because of the collapse in tourism and it is great to see the government giving it priority. The entire ecosystem that everyone and everything is so dependant upon is at stake. The Mara Triangle is only one example whereby the loss of tourism is forciing the authorities to cut down on security simply because the cannot afford it. That will inevitably lead to an increase in poaching. You can read more about this on the Mara Triangle blog.

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   Dipesh Pabari

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