Bad times ahead for Kenya due to insecurity, experts warn

Hoteliers in Lamu County especially in the Island have been seriously affected by both the recent Mpeketoni and Hindi attacks that have forced both locals and International Tourists to abondon the Countyy.[PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

MOMBASA KENYA: Despite positive projections by the Government in a bid to revive the ailing tourism sector, stakeholders at the Coast are now warning that recent violence in Lamu, Tana River and Mombasa may lead to the sector's collapse.

Hotel managers in Malindi are warning that violence in other parts of the Coast will delay the tourism high season that traditionally begins in August. The recent broad daylight murders of Russian and German tourists in Mombasa streets are the catalyst for the renewed fears.

Mada Hotels General Manager Peter Njoroge said although the high season starts in August most hotels may remain closed unless foreign tourists are guaranteed of their security.

"Normally the high tourist season in the North Coast starts in August, but this time round we fear things might be different if security agencies do not beef up security for the safety of our expected guests, “said Mr Njoroge.

Meanwhile, in others parts of Coast several tourist hotels remain closed despite the start of the sector's high season and the few that are open this week recorded a paltry 20 per cent bed occupancy.

Chartered flights to Coast have also dropped to 11 per week compared to 33, the region receives in July and stakeholders are attributing the slump to travel advisories issued by the West making Kenya an expensive destination compared to rivals South Africa, Tanzania and Rwanda.

"The insurance premium for one tourist from Europe has shot up three fold due to the travel warnings from £500 to £2,000. The few charter flights landing in Mombasa are on transit to Zanzibar, they drop an average of nine tourists," said Ashnil Hotels Limited Sales and Marketing Manager in charge of Coast Paul Kurgat.

He said in July, the region used to receive in excess of 33 chartered flights every week, adding that foreign marketing agencies that the Government has relied on for long have directed their efforts to emerging markets such as Tanzania and Rwanda given those countries had given the sector huge incentives.

"Hotels in Tsavo are doing less than 20 per cent. The Government has been complacent as other markets emerged. To say the least, the sector in Mombasa is going down," said Mr Kurgat.

The hospitality sector along the coastline has continued to perform dismally reeling under the effects of the travel advisories issued by European countries and players say President Uhuru Kenyatta's intervention in May has not helped the situation.

In Mombasa, Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC), Coast branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said the sector "has grounded to a halt" with over 500,000 direct and indirect people losing their livelihood.

He, however says that the slump cannot be entirely attributed to the insecurity but complacency by the Government and its failure to re-brand its packages, a move has seen it lose business to emerging markets.

"Insecurity is not the only factor that has caused the crash. It is a multiplicity of issues. First the sector has not received adequate support from the Government because it is a self-packaged sector," said Mr Ikweya.

In Lamu, 30 beach hotels closed down this week after tourists vacated the area, as the Government curfew takes toll on the sector. This week, the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew on Lamu and Tana River counties, following sustained attacks.

The curfew has inhibited the movement of locals and tourists with the hospitality sector players saying the move has led to the closure of eight restaurants and 600 boat operators and curio shops.

"Wherever the terrorist are seated, they are celebrating because they have won. Because this is what they wanted -to scare us," said Lamu Association Deputy Chairman Ghalib Alwy.

Romantic Group of Hotels, which operates Lamu Paradise, Petleys Inn and Sultan Palace, said that it has cut the number of employees from 80 to 15 after the closure of two of the hotels.

"We have closed down Petleys Inn and Sultan Palace because there are no guests. At Lamu Palace we have 15 employees but we have not had any international visitor in the last one month," said Romantic Group of Hotels General Manager Keziah Mumbi.

At the neighbouring Manda Island the story is the same with Majlis Hotel closing down for lack of business and security concerns. Most hotels had invested heavily on face lifts in anticipation for the high season.