International tourists avoid Kenya during electioneering periods due to tribalism expressed through social media says local hotelier.

Speaking to the press yesterday, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association Chairman Mohamed Hersi said it is the Kenyan elite, professionals and the learned who unfortunately use social media to express their tribal tendencies in defense of their preferred candidates.

He said social media is a worldwide tool that can be accessed by the global village and anything posted in that media, is used by many people to make decisions on many issues.

"Potential tourists cancel or postpone vacations and even change destinations after reading the content of some people in the social media. It seems we throw all reason out the window during election time and the things we say keep international tourists away," he said.

Hersi, who is also the Sarova White Sands general manager, said it is high time Kenyans demystified the presidency, stop clinging to tribalism and harboring intolerance for others.