By Philip Mwakio
Investors in the tourism industry have said the ongoing tension between Kenya and Tanzania is damaging to the sector’s growth.
Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Mohamed Hersi said the friction that
seems to be escalating is unfortunate, particularly at a time when the
world is facing the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is quite unnecessary. This friction and misunderstanding needs to be
solved once and for all to enable the friendly states to get back to
normal,” he said.
Mr Hersi, who is also the director of operations at Pollmans Tours and
Safaris, said there was little that the two countries are fighting over,
considering that the region attracts far less tourists than other
global destinations.
“Africa combined accounts for a paltry five per cent and half of all the
international arrivals into the continent go to North Africa, largely
due to proximity to key source market in Europe. The remainder goes to
the rest of Africa,” he said.
Huge potential
There is need to embrace intra-Africa travel, he said, which has a lot
of potential hence the need for African states to work closely with each
other.
Tourism Professional Association Chairman Paul Kurgat said there is need
to engage in urgent talks to break the stalemate over airspace access.
Tanzania slammed the door on Kenya Airways flights into its territories early this month in a move seen as retaliatory following Kenya’s decision to leave out its neighbour’s airlines from flying into the country.
It was followed by another ban by Tanzania’s authorities on low-cost carriers Fly 540, Air Kenya and Safari Link last week.
Mr Kurgat said that while the world airspace is slowly opening up with
flight resumptions, it was disheartening to see Kenya and Tanzania deny
each other the essential service.
“Businesses are hurting big time. We urge President Uhuru Kenyatta and
his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli to end the stalemate and ensure
normalcy returns,” he said.
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