Philip Mwakio
Players in the multi-billion-shilling tourism sector are predicting
tough times ahead following the
spread of the novel coronavirus in key
markets.
Italy, which is the biggest source market for tourists, with two
chartered planes landing in Mombasa every Wednesday and Thursday, has
been the hardest hit European country.
In a press statement yesterday, the government said it would be
suspending flights to the Coast from the north of Italy, “specifically
Verona and Milan .... This part of Italy is currently experiencing
coronavirus incidents, which could affect the safety of Kenyans”.
With the disease hitting more than 50 countries, tourism sector players
yesterday painted a grim picture of business prospects. Still, Sam
Ikwaye, the Coast branch executive officer of the Kenya Association of
Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC), called on the government to secure the
country’s entry points.
SEE ALSO :Confusion as NTSA denies lifting Modern Coast ban
“All
responsible governments are taking drastic measures to cushion their
citizens from the entry of the virus,” he said, adding that it is
imperative that precautions are taken at sea ports, airports and border
points.
Maureen Awuor, the chairperson of KAHC’s Watamu and Malindi sub-region,
said an earlier government directive to have visitors from Italy, Korea
and Iran quarantined would hurt the industry.
“Malindi and Watamu are havens for Italian tourists, and for one to
board a flight from Italy only to arrive and be quarantined does not
make sense at all,” she said.
Ms Awuor, however, said she was not opposed to the directive, but asked
for deeper consultations with all stakeholders before decisions are
made, saying the “Italian government cannot allow sick people to travel
abroad”.
She added that Neos, which operates chartered flights from Italy to the
Moi International Airport in Mombasa, has “issued a notice to passengers
travelling or using its services into Kenya that it shall take no
responsibility should they be prevented from disembarking”. Victor
Shitakah, the chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association, said
while the government is employing drastic measures, safety is the
paramount concern.
SEE ALSO :Magenge ya kihalifu Mombasa
“Malindi and Watamu will definitely suffer heavily, but we want to ensure that we remain safe and secure,” he said.
Robert Kinyua from the Association of Hotel Professionals Kenya added
that hotels at the Masai Mara, which get a chunk of clients from China,
may be forced to “scale down or close completely” following the
suspension of direct flights from the country. See more stories on
coronavirus on pages 21 and 31.
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