Kenya’s tourism stakeholders demand peace from government

(eTN) – The current series of wrangles, spits, and spats in the Kenyan government over new appointments and a range of other issues, following the introduction of a new constitution last year, has not

(eTN) – The current series of wrangles, spits, and spats in the Kenyan government over new appointments and a range of other issues, following the introduction of a new constitution last year, has not amused tourism stakeholders at all apparently. Over the last weekend, the Chairman of the Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association and other senior stakeholders have voiced demands on government to seek a peaceful way forward and avoid any degree of violence among their supporters. They have expressed their hope that both President Kibaki and his Prime Minister, and their groups in cabinet and parliament, continue to consult each other.

The Kenyan tourism industry was hardest hit in the aftermath of the controversial elections in late December 2007, resulting in a near collapse when the country descended into street violence. It took the tourism private sector, and the public sector, through the Kenya Tourist Board, over a year to overcome the fallout of the negative publicity.

Last year, Kenya then recorded the best arrival and revenue results ever from tourism, and stakeholders are demanding that these achievements not be put at risk by irresponsible statements and public spats, which could potentially impact on visitor arrivals and new investments in the sector.

Wise words, and the political who’s who in Kenya ought to listen to these sentiments.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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