Tourists defy advisories for wildebeest migration

The annual wildebeest migration contributes immensely to Kenya's tourist traffic. Photo/FILE 

By Sandra Chao-Blasto, schao@ke.nationmedia.com

A number of tourists have defied the travel advisories issued by source markets to flock to the Masai Mara Game Reserve as the wildebeest begin to migrate into Kenya from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

 

Kenya Tourism Board managing director Muriithi Ndegwa said that tourist numbers have been rising in the last one month with lodges in Masai Mara recording up to 80 per cent bed occupancy.

“The seventh wonder of the world (wildebeest migration) contributes immensely to the tourist traffic...and this year has not been different,” said Mr Ndegwa.

The United Kingdom, United States and Australia, Kenya’s top source markets for tourists, have warned their citizens against travelling to some parts of the country over security concerns.

Mara like other regions had suffered a huge blow due to insecurity from September last year with most hotels operating below 50 per cent bed occupancy.

READ: Branson slams UK over Kenya travel advisory

A PricewaterhouseCoopers outlook report projects that annual bed occupancy would decline by 5.3 per cent in 2014 due to insecurity.

Mr Ndegwa said the Mara was a link to other tourist attractions with regions like Nakuru, Naivasha and Amboseli being key beneficiaries that tour operators should take advantage of.

Heritage Hotels chief executive Mohammed Hersi said that their facilities — Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer camp — would have the same volume of business as last year’s.

Mr Hersi said that the hotels’ facilities are operating at 70 per cent occupancy but could improve to 80 per cent by end of August.

“We are glad that the travel advisories have not been extended to the Mara,” he said.