Tourism stakeholders to address decline in arrivals in Mombasa summit

Tourism CS Najib Balala (right), Tourism PS Fatma Hirsi (centre) and KICC chairman Omingo Magara (left) after addressing the press at the English Point Marina on August 30, 2016 on the tourism summit at State House, Mombasa to be hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Balala said his ministry would highlight the current status, future and the reforms they are undertaking to help the industry recover.
  • More than 150 people have been invited to the State House event in Mombasa.
  • Turkish Airlines is the only European carrier which operates scheduled flights from Istanbul to Mombasa in addition to two regional airlines.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will host a tourism summit on Wednesday at State House, Mombasa in a bid to address challenges that have bedevilled the sector leading to drop in arrivals at the Coast.

Tourism officials led by Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala are expected to shed light on the status and initiatives they are putting in place to revive the industry.

Describing the tourism summit as historical, Mr Balala said his ministry would highlight the current status, future and the reforms they are undertaking to help the industry recover.

“During the tourism summit we shall focus on products, services in the hospitality industry, marketing and innovations we are putting in place to revamp the industry,” he said.

In an interview with the Nation at English Point Marina in Mombasa, the Cabinet Secretary said the government had invited 150 people to the event, including hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, diplomats, beach operators and taxi drivers.

“This is the first time, the President is hosting a tourism summit at State House, Mombasa,” Mr Balala said.

On Monday, hoteliers said easing of air travel costs and increased marketing should be at the top of the agenda for the summit.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Kilifi County branch chairman Philip Chai said the President should open Moi International Airport to more scheduled flights.

At the moment, Turkish Airlines is the only European carrier which operates scheduled flights from Istanbul to Mombasa in addition to the two regional airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir.

Other airlines, including Qatar Airways, have applied to operate flights but have been turned down by the Ministry of Transport.

The hotelier said following the sharp drop in charter flights, there is need for the government to allow more international airlines to fly to Mombasa.

German leisure airline Condor, Small Planet from Poland and Meridiana Fly and Neos Air from Italy operate charter flights to Mombasa.

“The reason why tourism is on its knees in Malindi is because there are very few charter flights from Italy to Mombasa,” he said.

Mr Chai also wants the President Kenyatta to intervene on the slow progress in expansion of the Malindi airport.

“We want Malindi airport to be expanded so that it can handle direct flights from Europe to boost international tourist arrivals,” he said.

KAHC Coast executive officer Sam Ikwaye, said he expects Uhuru to address the challenges hotel owners face in accessing duty exemption on importation of building materials.

“Although the government exempted duty on importation of materials to enable hoteliers to renovate their establishments, they are unable to benefit from the incentive due to red-tape,” he said.

Mr Ikwaye added that he wants the President to address the controversy on the construction of the Ronald Ngala Utalii College.

“The building of the college has been politicized yet it could help address the challenges of lack of training opportunities in the region,” he said.

“If there are officials who were involved in corruption let them face the law but let the construction of the college continue,” he added.

Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast branch chairperson Monika Solanki, welcomed the President’s move to host the Tourism Summit in Mombasa.

“Things are not going on well at the Coast as the number of international visitors is very low. We hope the Summit will come up with ways to uplift tourism in the region,” she said.