KENYA: RISING INSECURITY KILLING TOURISM

Increasing insecurity in Kenya will hamper efforts by sector players to boost its domestic and regional tourism, as experts warn of a slump in international arrivals.

The June 15 attack in Mpeketoni town, in Lamu County on the Kenya Coast, where some 60 people were killed, happened right at the beginning of the peak tourism season.

The attack will discourage tourists from visiting the country and the Coast region in particular; thwarting hopes that Kenya’s tourism would pick up to boost the 2014 performance.

READ: Gunmen kill 63 in attacks on Kenyan coast

Hotelkeepers in Maasai Mara are banking on the wildebeest migration season, having registered an average of 50 per cent of bookings with expectations of a rise up to 60 per cent in July and 80 per cent in September.

Experts say that although tourists coming for the migration will not be affected by the advisories and the insecurity, it should not be seen as a saviour for the sector.

“The industry has taken a beating from insecurity; migration is a good thing for the Mara area but only for a few months. The number of tourists and revenue figures cannot undo the harm done to the entire industry, only security will,” said Mike Macharia, chief executive officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers.

He said the government should enhance training of security personnel for quick response and to restore market confidence.

“We hope that authorities will beef up security in the Mara to secure tourists going on game drives,” said Paul Kurgat, the sales and marketing manager of Ashnil Hotels.

Hotels in Mombasa are now depending on conferences.

“Hotels in Mombasa have very few international guests due to the travel advisories issued last month. The occupancy is between 30 and 50 per cent,” said Sam Ikwaye, an official of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers.

Following travel advisories by the UK, US and other Western governments that resulted in tourists leaving the country, 20 hotels were closed at the Coast and there are fears that others will follow suit.

READ: Tough times ahead for EA tourism as insecurity scares visitors away

Arrivals numbers are predicted to fall further in the wake of the new terror attacks, despite campaigns planned by the government to promote tourism.

“The marketing strategies planned by the government will not work without security in place; recent attacks confirm the fears raised by various countries. We require a lot of commitment to bring back the lost confidence,” said Mr Macharia,.

The number of international visitor arrivals fell to 1.5 million in 2013, from 1.7 million in 2012.