This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Kenya's tourism sector is bracing for a significant increase in costs as hotels and tourism facilities prepare to reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new health and safety protocols, known as the Magical Kenya Tourism Health and Safety Protocols, were unveiled by the Ministry of Tourism in June 2020.
According to the protocols, tourism facilities will be required to establish and maintain a documented list of emergency contacts, reporting systems, and evacuation procedures for any health-related incidents.
Additionally, tourists will be required to declare their travel history and medical status in advance before visiting facilities.
The protocols aim to ensure that service provision meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and Kenya's Ministry of Health measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
However, an analysis of the protocols shows that facilities will require additional investment to adhere to the new regulations.
For instance, staff at tourism facilities will need to have valid COVID-19 certification that is not more than 14 days old and from a recognized government-approved facility.
They will also need to conform to COVID-19 prevention guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Testing of staff members will cost Sh3,000, which means that each staff member who requires this certificate will cost the establishment Sh6,000 to comply with the bi-weekly validity per month.
The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) has expressed concerns that the new protocols will be expensive and restrictive to guests.
KAHC Chief Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said that the sector cannot afford to pay salaries, let alone the additional costs of testing staff members.
He urged the government to simplify the protocols and make testing free to avoid passing the costs to investors.
On the other hand, Tourism Principal Secretary Safina Kwekwe has urged hoteliers to consider pocket-friendly rates to attract domestic tourists.
She said that following the slump in international tourist numbers, it is prudent for hoteliers to look forward to reopening to encourage more domestic tourists to sample their hotels by coming up with affordable rates.
