Nairobi, KENYA: Tourism cabinet secretary Najib Balala has urged politicians to tone down and refrain from making statements which might affect the recovery of tourism sector in the country.
In a media briefing in Nairobi on Monday ,Balala said that such statements might affect the number of tourists who are planning to visit Kenya following the fact that this is a high season in the sector.
“Our tourism is very sensitive to any perceived or real insecurity, or instability we therefore urge our politicians and other political leaders to guard against any remarks or actions that may jeorpadize any gains made in this industry.”Balala said
“You are aware in 2007 we lost a big deal ,we recovered in 2012 .2013 ,2015 we got the Alshabaab attack; we worked hard 2015 to today ,we have recovered almost 18 percent since 2015 .”He added.
He indicated that tranquility of the country will help in propelling the sector especially arrivals of tourists in the country, warning that if the protests escalate and create instability it will adversely affect the performance of the sector.
He pointed that there is need for the tourism players to embrace local packages in order to uplift the resilience of local tourism in the country.
On the other hand, Kenya tourism federation chair Mihammed Hersi said that tourism destinations including Maasai Mara, Laikipia ,Naivasha,Amboseli and Tsavo have picked apart from Nairobi which experienced await and see attitude during election.
