Tourism summit attendees fault KQ, hoteliers over high charges

Stakeholders attending a tourism summit at State House in Mombasa have criticised Kenya Airways over its high fares and frequent delays, which they said have hurt tourism.

"KQ should wake up. The issue of delays must be addressed. Our hotel beds are empty and Kenya Airways does not support us," said Jaideep Vohra, the chairman of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers.

Hoteliers were also accused of charging high rates even when they are not fully booked.

Tourism Cabinet Minister Najib Balala said it does not make sense for a hotel to charge high rates only to have an occupancy of 40 per cent while they could make more with reasonable charges.

The stakeholders at the summit lamented that Kenya is considered as a expensive destination compared with other countries in the region.

Mr Balala, however, said the country is striving to improve tourism so as to earn more from the industry.

He cited clearing up the port of Mombasa, improving hotels and building world-class facilities as some of the measures being undertaken to boost the industry.

The minister said a new terminal is being built at the port to ease congestion at the entry point from sea to land.

He said the changes would attract cruise ships, which he said would boost the number of tourists coming into the country.

“Last year, for instance, we received more than 7,000 tourists by cruise ship alone and this number is expected to increase this year, an indicator that more cruise ships are docking here,” he said.