Plea for new ministry to save Tourism from decline

Tourism sector players have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to create a ministry to help save their industry from collapse.

Stakeholders say that collapse is imminent with between 30,000 and 40,000 workers set to lose jobs by the end of the month.

Insecurity and fear of attacks by Al-Shabaab terrorists are the latest factors in the decline in tourist numbers.

“We need one Cabinet secretary to be specifically in charge of Tourism as was the case before. This will allow him or her to concentrate on how to uplift the industry, rather than have too many things to think about,” said Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers chairman Harald Kampa.

Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie’s docket covers East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism.

The association says they have continued to experience a decline in business over the last quarter that ended in April.

“Occupancy has dropped from an average 50 per cent last year to less than 20 per cent across the region, with South Coast, Malindi and Watamu areas being the hardest hit,” said Mr Kampa.

He said more jobs could be lost in the Coast region where they have never experienced such a dire situation, even during the 1997 ethnic clashes and the 2007-08 post-election violence.

He said nearly all the big hotels at the Coast had lowered their rates, but there are limits to how far they can drop the prices.

The officials indicated that arrival statistics are going down quarter after quarter, with the Kenya Tourism Board reporting a 32 per cent drop compared with a similar period last year.

He said association members plan to bypass the government and reach out to new markets and avenues.

The association also proposed the suspension of visa fees and park fees to attract more international and local tourists. Mr Kampa said at least 23 hotels have closed down since last year and many more are facing closure.

Meanwhile, Fort Jesus will be rolling out several marketing events from August. Chief curator, Saadu Rashid said besides the current Omani House exhibition, there will be painting competitions.