In what could be an indication of rising cost of living, far
fewer Kenyans will travel during this Christmas season compared to the
number that did last year.
A poll conducted by research
firm Ipsos shows that only 16 per cent of those polled will be
travelling this season, as compared to 34 per cent who travelled last
year.
“This could be attributed to economic strains and security concerns, “says Victor Rateng, the opinion polls project manager.
Even
more indicative of a harsher economic period is that a majority of
those travelling will put up with relatives, as opposed to getting rooms
in hotels or holiday homes.
“Relatives are expected to
provide accommodation to most of those travelling during this festive
season (82 per cent), while far fewer will seek accommodation in hotels
(12 per cent), or in holiday homes/cottages (3 per cent). Only 4 per
cent will make day journeys,” states the report.
Towns
within Kenya are the preferred travel destinations for an overwhelming
98 per cent of Kenyans, with only 2 per cent saying that they intend to
venture out of the country.
The number of those
leaving the country for the holidays has steadily dropped from 4 per
cent in 2012, 3 per cent in 2013 and 2 per cent this year.
The
most popular holiday destination is Nairobi which will attract two out
of ten of respondents, with Mombasa lagging far behind at 12 per cent.
Other popular towns are Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru. Mombasa could have
dropped in popularity due to perceived insecurity.
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