Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has warned of mass job losses and opportunities in the tourism sector should the ongoing anti-government protests persist.
CS Mutua in a statement on July 3, 2024, addressed concerns raised within the sector following the unrest that has been witnessed in most parts of the country, further highlighting measures taken by the government to protect the sector.
Mutua first maintained and acknowledged that Tourism is a leisure industry that depends on a sense of security and predictability, and that it can be easily affected if the two are not properly managed.
“Kenya is one of many nations competing for tourism and visitors will choose to come to us depending on how we present and market ourselves to them image is important if we are to maximize on our amazing product,” he said.
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Mutua warned that if the tension continues, it will have a negative impact on the sector leading to a reduction in earnings.
Mutua Highlights Effects of Protests on Tourism
The CS lamented that continued protests could lead to possibility of loss of jobs and freezing of new opportunities especially, to graduates aiming to join the tourism and wildlife sectors for their livelihood.
“We are lucky that we have not seen a major dent or cancellation as a result of what has been happening,” he said.
However, he added, “if the unsettledness continues, it will have a negative impact on the sector leading to a reduction in our earnings, possibility of loss of jobs and freezing of new opportunities especially, to graduates aiming to join the tourism and wildlife sectors for their livelihood.”
At the same time Mutua maintained that the sector has not seen a major dent or cancellation as a result of what has been happening.
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On the other hand, few postponements of bookings mainly for events have been witnessed, according to information gathered by the Ministry.
“We have a few postponements of bookings mainly for events, but we are also receiving new bookings. Our upward trends may have been slightly slowed down, but the sector is stable, and we are ready for the high season which is ongoing,” he said.
Flights
According to Mutua, there are eleven flights to Diani which are all full, similar to flights to Mombasa whereas charter flights to Mombasa are on schedule.
The CS has maintained that the government has put in measures to ensure the stability of the tourism sector in Mombasa and Diani.
He further stated that the National Parks, beaches, museums and all various wonders in Kenya are currently still attracting many visitors.
“Our national parks are vibrant with visitors. Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Nakuru and Tsavo among others are fully booked and we have not had any disruptions,” added Mutua.
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The Tourism and Wildlife Sector is one of largest employers in Kenya with 80% of the employees being youth.
According to the ministry, the sector contributed about Ksh353 billion to the Kenyan economy in 2023, which has since seen an upward trend this year.
“In the last two years, we have come from 1 million to 2 million visitors by end of 2023. Our projection is to get to 3 million by end of this year, 2024 and 5 million visitors in the next 2 to 3 years.”
Protests
The statement by Mutua came at a time continued unrest resulting from anti-government protests has seen several Kenyans lose their lives.
Protests against Finance Bill 2024 on June 25 culminated into a violent situation which degenerated into a potential threat to national security.
The protests saw targeted attacks on critical state institutions including the Supreme Court of Kenya, Parliament buildings, and the Office of the Governor of Nairobi County.
In the wake of continued protests against the government, several foreign countries have issued advisories to their citizens while raising concerns over instability and security.
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