Tourism steady growth to continue

By Philip Mwakio

Players in the tourism industry have allayed fears of a drop in international tourist arrivals due to Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir recent visit to Kenya.

Hoteliers remained upbeat on the prospects of increased arrivals despite the country’s bashing by a section of the international community.

The country’s top tourism marketer, Kenya Tourist Board maintained that arrivals this year could surpass the one million mark.

Al Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of alleged human right abuses in the volatile Darfur region.

Speaking separately, stakeholders said the industry was on its upward trend and that pressure on Kenya by international community would not affect arrival figures.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast branch chairman Titus Kangangi said the Bashir saga will not have any bearing on tourist arrivals. "International tourists book in advance and as such there are no known cancellations,’’ said Mr Kangangi who is also a director with Platinum Hotels, Resorts and Spa said.