Stakeholders report gain after lifting of travel ban

Tourist hotels on the Kenyan Coast have reported significant rise in booking inquiries from international and local tour guides following last week's lifting of travel advisories by the United Kingdom (UK).

But they say lifting of the advisories will not lead to immediate spike in actual arrivals and are predicting a rise in numbers after late July visit to Kenya by US President Barack Obama.

The hotel players reported yesterday that inquiries for space had shot up by 30 per cent in the last five days since the UK lifted the  travel ban signifying a strong market on Coastal tourism circuit that had been shattered by insecurity and related travel advisories by other Western nations.

"Though it is very early to assess the impact of the lifting of the ban. I must say inquiry has shot up," said Sai Rock General Manager, Robert Kiri.

Mr Kiri disclosed that an international conference that will bring over 106 African ports managers to Mombasa have already booked for November 16, next year.

Mombasa County Executive in charge of Tourism Job Tumbo said Ireland, China and Italy have also each booked to exhibit their culture in the November Mombasa International Cultural Festival.

He said the ten-day-festive period has attracted the highest number of exhibitors compared to last year and it is expected to boost the number of tourists.

"I tried to negotiate for a space and package in tourists' hotels for 50 guests who are coming in from Kericho to attend the festival and I could not get because hotels are saying they will be full," said Tumbo.

Hoteliers at the Coast yesterday expressed optimism that next month's visit by President Obama and the planned Mombasa International Cultural Festival will shore up the number of tourists.

They say Britain's decision has also had positive effects on the domestic and regional markets which has also reacted by increased inquiries and bookings for August and December holidays.

In Taita Taveta, hoteliers interviewed said "the near future looks bright" owing to the planned visit by the US President Barack Obama next month.

At Flamingo Beach Resort in Mombasa, Aggrey Awuor, the hotel's head of finance said three international tour guides have also made inquiries he is optimistic that it will result to reservations.

"Africa Lastminute Ltd, a tour guide that mostly handles the Swiss tourists in the region's safari circuit has made inquiry with an aim to reserve rooms. ITS Jahn Reisen and Tjaereborg which also handle the German tourists on Safari at the Coast have also made inquiries," he said.

Yesterday, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterer (KAHC), Coast branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said the rise in inquiries was mainly from tourists who were in other parts of the country that may want to take advantage of the lifting of the advisory.

"We can only assess the impact of UK's decision to lift the ban say in November but the inquiries being recorded are coming from guests who were in the country already say in Nairobi who may want to extend the stay to enjoy safari to the region now that the advisory has been lifted," said Ikwaye.

He said that British government's decision to lift the ban will also create confidence in the domestic and regional tourism which will  will result to increased arrivals during August and December holidays.

Hoteliers in Tsavo and Amboseli said that bed occupancy was still at 20 per cent despite the recent lifting of travel advisories.

The UK had imposed travel advisories to its citizens against non-essential travels to some parts of the Coast, a directive that badly affected tourism activities in the region.

The chairperson of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers in Tsavo and Amboseli Willy Mwadilo says tourists are expected to start streaming to the region next year adding that the government should review visa charges and parking charges to attract more safari business.