Tour operators head to Europe in search of customers

Nairobi; Kenya: Local tour operators have left for Europe in search of more customers. The operators from Diani in Kwale County, and Watamu in Kilifi County, are meeting their colleagues who operate in Europe to persuade them to send more visitors to Kenya.

The trip to the European markets of Germany, France and other countries, comes at a time when the traditional Coast destination has been abandoned over security concerns. "At present, the tourism sector is at its lowest point, a situation witnessed after a long time. Many hotels have closed down or are thinking about closing due to lack of clients. We decided to take matters in our own hands to market the country to reclaim the lost confidence," said Hans Juergen Langer, the proprietor of Temple Point Resort, who is also steering the campaign.

Travel advisories

Tourism is Kenya's third biggest source of foreign exchange after inward remittances and agriculture. It generated about Sh90 billion - 12 per cent of gross domestic product - last year, but has lately been on its knees following issuance of travel advisories against Kenya due to insecurity.

"People in Germany and Europe think Kenya is not safe any more, because of acts of terrorism and travel warnings given by various European governments. Additionally, there is fear of Ebola in Africa going round," Langer said.

The Coast region is reported to be the hardest hit, as thousands of hotel staff and the merchants of tourists' memorabilia have been rendered jobless. "The situation along the Coast is so bad that hotels are registering 40 per cent occupancy rates and half the usual bookings, even though July to September is the peak tourism season," said Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chief Executive Millicent Odhiambo.

"Tourism is the backbone of coastal Kenya and we can't do without international visitors," she said in earlier interview. Presently, the group of hoteliers are in France, gracing the International French Travel Market Top Resa, a leading tourist event taking place in Paris. Earlier in the week,  the team was in Munich and Berlin, where they met up with about 40 travel agencies.

"All the marketing forces of Kenya should work together to boost the international tourism in the country," said Chairperson of Domestic Tourism Kenya Anastasia Wakesho argues. She however advocated for hoteliers to come up with packages that will encourage the domestic tourism.

 "This campaign is set to run for few more weeks until we cover the rest of Europe. The overall expense for the movement is an average of Sh30million." Other hotels involved in the movement include Turtle Bay Resort and Garoda Beach Resort.