This archive report was first published on 3 January 2022.
As the world enters a new phase defined by new tourism trends, Kenya's tourism industry is poised for a gradual recovery in 2022, despite the uncertainty caused by Covid-19.
According to Sam Ikwaye, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) executive officer, the gradual opening of economies shows that there is a better understanding of the virus, and the industry is optimistic about optimising tourism growth while living with the virus.
Ikwaye noted that the last five years have been a nightmare for the industry, starting with campaigns in 2016 and repeat elections in 2017, which affected investment in the industry.
However, with a good number of Kenyans vaccinated against Covid-19 and preparing well for the booster jab, tourism stakeholders remain confident that travel will not be restricted again.
Janet Chamia, the proprietor of the three-star Jacyjoka Holiday Apartments in Mombasa and chairperson of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT), Mombasa county chapter, said that business trends point to a situation where international travellers will continue to make visits to Kenya since continents that experience the cold winter seasons are still snowy.
Ikwaye added that Kenya's resilient nature will be instrumental in the new year, as the nation has learnt how to survive with the pandemic compared to other advanced countries that have more stable healthcare systems.
However, he warned that the country's failure to adjust its democratic processes, especially the cycle of violence and uncertainties that affect business every five years when going to the polls, is a worrying sign for 2022.
Ikwaye reiterated that as an industry, they have wholly mastered the Constitution and 2022 being an election year, they shall be consolidating their influence as a bloc and participate in unison and not just be passive players.
He warned that any acts of violence or ugly anti-business gimmicks will be noted and they shall ensure that such leaders are not elected to any office.
Ikwaye said that for those seeking re-election, they shall want to see how they performed, and those seeking fresh mandate or newcomers, they shall keenly want to see their characters and how well they have supported the sector in their designations.
Dennis Gwaro, general manager of Plaza Beach Hotel in North Coast, said that projections for the new year look promising, with numbers likely to average between 60 and 70 per cent in relation to 2018-2019 pre-Covid numbers.
He said that they expect to have guests checking into hotels and staying for between two weeks to months, as some will be recovering from the loss of not being able to take holiday for the last two years due to travel restrictions which were in place then.
Victor Shitakah, chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA), said that the industry is yet to see tangible recovery measures put in place in the new year by the government in face of the pandemic.
He suggested that the government, through its Tourism ministry agencies like Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), should create a blue line initiative that will boost cruise ships to call at the Port of Mombasa which now boasts of a modern Sh1 billion cruise ship terminal.
Shitakah said that since the new year is an electioneering one, there is a need for dialogue between industry players and the country's tourism marketer, KTB, on the way forward.
He hopes that Kenyan skies will be fully opened to allow for more international flights to land, and that the industry will attract more chartered and scheduled flights to fly into Kenya and compete effectively with neighbouring destinations like Zanzibar.
