Joseph Kimani
17 August 2008
Nairobi — The local tourism sector lost Sh13 billion in revenue during the post election crisis, Tourism minister Najib Balala said on Sunday.
Addressing the press at Enkowuatet Salt Lick in Maasai Mara National Game Reserve, Mr Balala said revenue had dropped from Sh21 billion in the first quarter of 2007 to Sh8bn during the same period in 2008.
The minister said that the political crisis had dealt a major blow to tourism early in the year, adding that the situation had been made worse by the fact that forest and other water catchments areas are under continued assault from human activities.
"Obstacles such as insecurity and unreliable energy also impact the sector. Another long term threat which could seriously damage tourism has been the dramatic loss of 60-70 per cent of wild life," he said.
He was speaking at the marking of this year's tourism week, which coincided with the wildebeest migration.
Wildlife projects
US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger said he was awed to witness one of the wonders of the world and added that his Government would support tourism and wildlife projects in Kenya.
He said that since 2001, US efforts have helped put over 970,000 hectares of land under improved natural management, which has directly and indirectly benefited over 250,000 Kenyans. He said that thousands of jobs had been created and about 15 million US dollars generated by community business through shareholding, wages and income.
The minister for Forests and Wildlife, Dr Noah Wekesa, said that important rivers like Mara River would dry up if the squatters in the Mau Complex are not removed. Kenya Wildlife Service director Julius Kipngetich also attended the event.
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