Kenya says rising political temperatures to hurt tourism

Kenya's tourism stakeholders on Monday decried rising political temperatures in the country, saying it will scare away tourists and potential investors.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said the anti- electoral body's protests which have been staged by the Opposition to press for reforms in the polls' body are hurting the tourism sector.

"We are going to suffer in terms of unemployment, already we have suffered since tourism has gone done and it will be worse if we don't manage the situation well," Balala said during the tourism stakeholders meeting in the coastal city.

The tourism industry has been on the increase since November last year following the arrival of several cruise ships at the Mombasa Port.

Mombasa, the country's second largest city and a major tourist spot is one of various cities targeted by a series of grenade attacks and abduction of foreigners in recent months.

The Opposition held anti-Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) protests on last week, a move that the stakeholders said will hurt tourism which had begun to peak up due to numerous incentives introduced by the government.

The East African nation was playing a pivotal role in ensuring that terrorism and other forms of criminal activities threatening the country's security were minimized if not eliminated.

Balala said the image of the country has been negatively impacted due to the continued negative publicity on street demonstrations.

"The media are reporting that the country is burning, that is negative for the country, and visitors coming. It's not the right thing and must stop immediately," Balala said.

He said the politicians should ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful and limited within designated place and not to shut down whole country because of political differences.

Balala said the protests are affecting the recovery process of the tourism sector especially at the Coast that suffered due to insecurity challenges that forced source markets impose travel advisories.

"It's unfortunate every election period we have to create challenges and we start again a recovery process. It's not good for the economy," he said.

The East African nation's coastal towns are the backbone of the country's tourism industry, which has been hit by the fear of terror attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners by Somali pirates from resorts near the border with Somalia.

Mohammed Hersi Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Hotels appealed to the politicians to resolve their issues through dialogue.

"We appeal to both sides if they can manage this thing in boardroom and keep Kenyans out of it for a while, because the way Kenya is being portrayed out there is becoming hard for us to market our destination," Hersi said. Endit