Coastal Tourism Faces Boost

Visa fees for children below the age of 16 years who will be visiting Kenya have been lifted by the president, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, which is expected to take effect from next month.

This move has been reached upon as a measure in boosting the tourism sector at the coastal region. Family holidays at the coast will from now henceforth be cheaper thus encouraging more people to visit the region.

Tourists entry visa charges in Kenya have been at Sh.10,200 for a multiple entry and Sh.5,100 for a single entry, a trend that covered everyone including children under 16years old.

The tourism sector in the country has for the past three years been on its low side due to the many insecurity concerns that have been taking place in the country. This led to most countries issuing out travel advisories to their people who have kept away from visiting the country.

The president also addressed the issue on park and conservancy entry fees by directing the removal of 16 per cent of Value Added Tax (VAT), and the entrance fee for national parks settled to $60 (Sh. 6,000) in a day from the previous $90 (Sh.9,000) in a day.

This move came about after stakeholders in the wildlife sector raised an alarm in the higher parking fees in the country which were the main reasons for tourists seeking alternative destinations.

It was disclosed that the park and conservancy fees for South Africa are at Sh.5,100, Tanzania and Uganda between Sh.4,800 and Sh.5,000. Kenya seems to be one the only country charging the highest. The president promised tourist establishments owners in the region for the governments assistance in securing funds to be used in improving their facilities.

Before the insecurity concerns hit the country, Kenya was among the most preferred destinations in the world where tourists visited. Tourism became the backbone of the country as it boosted the economy largely. From the various measure and changes made at the coast, there is hope that the Sector is headed back to its position.

The Cabinet Secretary of Tourism, Najib Balala recently slashed the cost of travel to the Kenyan Coast for tourists as part of a strategy to revive the tourism sector. He unveiled Sh.1.2 billion Charter Incentive Programme for Kenya (CIP) that aimed at reducing tourist cost and recovering lost business from tourist charter companies.  This incentive will be operational up to June 2018.

Article by Vera Shawiza.