Hoteliers in South-coast have said that the exit of British from European Union (EU) will not affect tourism industry since they mainly rely on German and Italian markets.
Led by Jeff Mukolwe, the General Manager of Swahili Beach Resort in Diani within Kwale County they said that since the country faced some insecurity challenges three years ago, the British market had completely collapsed and most of the hoteliers were dealing with Germany and Italian markets.
“Currently we will not feel any impact of the British exit from EU because we lost market with them since Kenya started facing some insecurity challenges three years ago,” Mukolwe said.
He also added that the current number of British tourists in the South coast hotels is very low compared to Germans and Italians.
“You may only find 2 or 3 British tourists in Diani unlike the Germans and Italians who are here in large numbers therefore if the British market recovers we might feel the impact of their exit from EU,” he said.
Mukolwe however urged political leaders in the country to conduct their politics and campaigns peacefully and in a civilised manner taking into account the effects of negative campaigns and politics.
“Tourism is the backbone of our economy therefore let every citizen especially the political leaders take into account the effects of negative campaigns which affects all the businesses including the mama mbogas and fruit vendors; we all depend on tourism in one way or another,” Mukolwe said.
The Leopards Beach Resort General Manager, Mohammed Omar also added that the ministry of tourism was still in the process of recovering the British market but it had not picked up.
“It is difficult for now to determine its impact on Kenya’s tourism until the market recovers fully, which will take some time for them to come in large numbers,” Omar said.
He however said that hoteliers are still optimistic and hoping that the incentives put forward by the ministry of tourism and Kenya tourism board will assist in recovery of all the markets.
Omar also noted that from July, tourism stakeholders are expecting some charters from Poland.
