Nairobi — Players in tourism have expressed fears that the industry may be brought to its knees if violent confrontations that have rocked parts of the country continue.

They said occupancy in most hotels had reduced from 85 per cent to 50 per cent, days after violence broke out.

They said further insecurity could lead to massive cancellations and render many workers jobless.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) and the Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association (MCTA) said the chaos had damaged the country's reputation abroad.

In a joint press release, the associations termed the chaos unimaginable.

"Job losses have already begun and set to accelerate at an alarming pace in the next few days," said the statement.

KAHC Coast branch chairman, Mr Mohamed Hersi, said violence went against the tenets of tourism.

"There is no way we can have visitors coming here if the security of locals is not guaranteed in the first place," he said.

He said the country was competing for foreign tourists with 37 destinations.

"We should give peace a chance and give efforts meant to bring back normalcy a top priority," said Hersi.

On Saturday, more than 200 tourists from Sweden left for Stockholm after a travel advisory from their government.

They were yet to complete their two-week holiday.

MCTA Chairman, Mr Kuldip Sondhi, said exact losses are yet be ascertained.

"We are already talking of losses in revenue running into millions. But this will add up to billions if violent eruptions continue," he said.

Hersi said several airlines to Mombasa had pulled out from the route, fearing more may follow suit.

"Trouble for the industry is happening at the best time of the year, January, February and March, when arrivals are supposed to pick," he said.