KENYA: Airport Arrivals Reflect Low Business In Tourism Sector

The slump in arrival numbers at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa is a clear testimony of the bleeding tourism sector and the need for bold and sustained efforts to revive the industry.

Fresh data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows the number of foreign visitors who landed at the Mombasa airport dropped to 2,500 in May, the lowest level since April 2008 when Kenya was recovering from the bloody post-election violence.

As countries such as Tunisia which is heavily reliant on tourism have showed, the government of the day needs to have a strong will and commitment to win the war.

The data is a reflection of the dwindling fortunes of the tourism industry, which at its peak creates thousands of direct and indirect blue-collar jobs while supporting the shilling through inflows of millions of dollars.

Right from the time tourists arrive at the airport, they create jobs for tour operators and taxi drivers, hoteliers, farmers, boat operators, curio dealers and entertainers until they end their vacation or business visits.

Unfortunately when the numbers drop at the rate at which they have in recent years, the whole ecosystem that is supported by the industry collapses and the economic multiplier is lost.

In many cases, prolonged slumps render thousands who are employed in hotels and other tourist facilities destitute due to lost skills as employers prefer fresh talent in the subsequent high seasons.

For every one thousand jobs lost, thousands of dreams of the dependants are broken, futures are blighted and a poverty cycle is perpetuated. The government has done well by allocating upwards of Sh5 billion in this year’s budget to support revival and marketing of the industry.

Reports that the Kenya Police Service is co-operating more with international security agencies to secure the coast are also welcome.

The co-operation has borne fruit with the easing of travel advisories to the Coast by the UK government.

But as past experience has showed, the perceptions about security are only as positive as the last terror attack, and hence the need for eternal vigilance.

The proximity of Somalia to our coastal tourism hub and the ability of Al-Shabaab terrorists to cross the borders and terrorise the country means that it will take a long time to claim a permanent solution to the security threat.

As countries such as Tunisia which is heavily reliant on tourism have showed, the government of the day needs to have a strong will and commitment to win the war.

Faced with the menace of militants crossing over from Libya, Tunisia has decided and is already constructing a border barrier.

Kenya needs to take similar bold measures, but these must be done in a transparent and inclusive manner that wins the hearts and minds of all citizens.