Business Daily (Nairobi)
Wangui Maina
2 January 2008
Tourism industry players put up a brave face in the wake of negative publicity arising from political violence that followed last Sunday's outcome of the General Election.
Industry players had expressed concern over possible disruption of tourist arrivals and cutting short of holidays due to poll violence after President Kibaki was declared the winner of a highly contested election.
Players dismissed claims that hundreds of tourists had fled back home. They said the tourists reported in sections of the media, including international media, to be fleeing were returning home at the end of their holidays.
"We have not seen any tourists leaving, cancel or even heard of evacuations. Those reported to be leaving are tourists going home their holiday having come to an end," Mr Mohammed Hersi the general manager of Sarova Whitesands and head of Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch told Business Daily on phone.
Charles Muia of Mombasa Serena said his hotel was fully booked and no tourist had expressed a wish to leave following the unrest. "Clients are not complaining, but we have to also keep reassuring them," he added.
Yesterday, scores of tourists were seen checking into Nairobi hotels against the backdrop of heavy police presence.
Edwin Mapelu, the managing director at Micato Safaris, said the industry expected an insignificant dent on arrival schedules.
Media reports had earlier indicated that tourists were stranded in Mombasa as they awaited the ferry. Players said there was nothing abnormal about the delay as the ferry is rarely on time.
"The situation is exaggerated as there are always delays even in seasons of calm," Mr Hersi said.
He said such images, as well as those of areas affected by political violence, would taint Kenya's picture of a tourist destination especially if they are picked up by the international media.
The tourism sector faced a major slump in 1997 following the Likoni clashes and the terrorist attacks in Nairobi the following year. Arrivals declined to the rock bottom, especially in Mombasa prompting many hotels to close down leaving hundreds of workers jobless.
"It has taken us long to get to here and we must ensure that the gains do not go down the drain," Mr Hersi said. Should violence continue into next week then the sector is likely to suffer a major set back as most tourists are currently monitoring the situation.
The outlook is not good as both government and opposition have maintained a hard stand despite calling for calm.
Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato) chairman Mr Duncan Muriuki said reports of widespread violence may lead to postponement of arrivals but not cancellations.
"Tourists may want to see the violence subside before embarking on their holidays," he said.
So far the British government has issued a travel advisory telling its citizens to stay away from affected towns like Kisumu, Kericho, Eldoret and Kisauni district in Mombasa.
The statement issued by the British High Commissioner to Kenya Adam Wood, did however not advise Britons not to travel to Kenya.
"The advisory is realistic and it says exactly what we are telling our guests as tourist areas are not affected," Mr Muriuki said. In Mombasa, tourist police escorted most tourists to and from the airport to ensure their security while hotels asked guests to leave an hour earlier for the airport. Tourism is Kenya's leading foreign exchange earner with earnings expected to reach a record high of Sh62 billion in 2007.
The sector had just recorded one of its best December's with most hotels recording up to 99 per cent bookings both from domestic and international tourists. Tourists had remained optimistic during the election period with most continuing with their holiday plans.
However, some local tourists who had driven to Mombasa were forced to fly back to Nairobi leaving their vehicles in the hotels due to fuel shortage.
Some hotels have had to face a shortage of supplies as they tap into their back up as suppliers stayed away. However, the situation is getting back to normal as supplies start trickling in.
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