After the worst post election violence ever witnessed in Kenya's history, Kenya's tourism industry is still recovering from the negative effects of the post election violence.
The Kenyan tourism sector was one of the hardest hit sectors of the Kenyan economy, with dozens of people losing their jobs, and establishments closing down due to lack of business.
Now things are beginning to slowly look up. As the Ministry of Tourism re-brands the country's image to the rest of the world, even though it is doing this with a limited budget. Industry players are keeping their fingers crossed that with the upcoming "high season" anticipated, that things will drastically improve.
Dozens of hotels at the Coast have reopened to welcome holidaymakers from Europe and local tourists ahead of the school holidays next month.
Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association chairman John Cleave said tourist arrival figures are expected to rise beginning July 15 owing to the setting in of the customary high tourist season.
He said charter flights from Europe to Mombasa will increase to 20 a week compared to 10 during the low season.
“The number of tourist arrivals from Europe will average 60 per cent as from July 15 to next month compared to the same period in 2007 when we had a larger number of visitors,” said Mr Cleave.
“In the months of August, September and October we expect the tourism sector to improve. Charter flights are expected to shoot up during these busy months,” he added.
The tourist official, however, said full recovery of industry might be achieved in December during the Christmas season when the winter season hits Europe.
“We anticipate the industry to recover at the end of the year as many tourists in Europe go for holidays during winter season,” he said.
Dozens of hotels and cottages in Malindi and Watamu which had shut down owing to lack of business are re-opening in anticipation of the high season.
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