The Tourism ministry has slashed the cost of travel to the Kenyan Coast for tourists as part of a strategy to revive the sector.
Yesterday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala unveiled a Sh1.2 billion Charter Incentive Programme for Kenya (CIP) aimed at reducing tourist costs and recovering lost business from tourist charter companies.
The landing Fee waiver applies to Moi International Airport, Mombasa and Malindi Airport and would be effected in January 2016 to June 2018.
The CS waived landing fees for charter airlines and offered a Sh3,060 per person charter flight subsidy.
According to the Government, the tourist subsidy is aimed at boosting and stimulating Charter Airlines to fly to the Kenyan coast.
“One of the challenges we face in stimulating the region’s tourism recovery is the relatively high costs experienced by our visitors. It is a simple fact that it is often cheaper to go somewhere else,” Balala said.
CHILDREN FEES
While announcing the decision, Balala, who took up the Tourism docket this month, said: “It is time to give incentives to our visitors to help restore Kenya’s tourism crown.”
“The Government and industry stakeholders must work hand-in-hand to attract tourists back to Coast,” he added.
Coastal tourism accounts for about 60 per cent of the industry in the country, making it one of the economic mainstays in the six coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Tana River.
Tourism industry players welcomed the move, saying it was part of their recommendations to Balala following consultative engagements on recovery measures for the sector.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast region Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said industry stakeholders had also recommended for a waiver of visa fees for children accompanying their parents for holidays.
“We welcome the decision as it is aimed at increasing the numbers of tourists to the country, which will lead to full recovery. Hopefully, 2017 will also be a good year despite elections because this measure will win the confidence of travel agents, who will give us the numbers,” Ikwaye said.
