Investors toast to tourism earnings

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala (front centre) is flanked by some tourism stakeholders as he addressed journalists at the English Point Marina after releasing the 2018 Tourism Report which he handed over to President Uhuiru Kenyatta at State House Mombasa, January 08, 2019. Tourism stakeholders praised the report. [PHOTO: GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Investors in the tourism industry have expressed satisfaction at the growth trajectory indicated in the 2018 Tourism Performance Report issued by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

The earnings from tourism improved last year, with the ministry reporting revenue of Sh157 billion compared to Sh119.9 billion the previous year. 

The report issued on Monday before an audience that included President Uhuru Kenyatta, Opposition leader Raila Odinga and stakeholders in the industry stated that the number of international visitors grew by 37 per cent to two million in 2018 from 1.4 million in 2017.

Industry players further said the timely issuance of the report was good for planning.

“The figures show positive growth, though that does not necessarily mean traditional hotels have been full throughout,’’ said Sam Ikwaye, the executive officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), Coast branch.

Support

Hasnain Noorani, the managing director of Pride Inn Group of Hotels and Conferencing and the chairman of Kenya Coast Working Group, praised Uhuru and Balala for their support, which he said had led to the good performance.

“We have achieved record numbers, tourism is on the path to full recovery and this new year looks even more positive,” said Mr Noorani.

He said several ongoing infrastructure projects and others in the pipeline at the Coast would go a long way in making the destination even more attractive.

However, he expressed concern that the outside world still considered Mombasa unsafe.

“This is a narrative that can be fought and won if both the county and national governments forge a close working relationship and ensure that the port city plays host to more international conferences so that more people can start talking about their positive experience of Mombasa,” Noorani said.

Sarova Hotels Managing Director and Kenya Tourism Board Chairman Jimi Kariuki said the sector’s performance last year was encouraging.

“The results are a testament to this. The visitor arrival numbers surpassed the two million mark, making 2018 the best-performing year for the sector and exceeding the (previous) best years of 2007 and 2011, which achieved just over 1.8 million visitors.”

Mr Kariuki said all key overseas source markets showed strong growth, with domestic travel bed nights also growing by nine per cent in 2018 over 2017.

“This is indeed commendable performance by the sector. The Government of Kenya has continued to prioritise the tourism sector through creating an enabling and conducive environment for the sector to do business and to grow.”

Speaking to The Standard on the phone from Mumbai, India, Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa Managing Director Bobby Kamani said the increase in international and domestic travellers could be attributed to concerted efforts in brand positioning of Kenya’s tourism products.

“Private sector players have not been left behind. They have contributed significantly towards marketing of their products in local, regional and international markets,’’ he said.