Kwale:Government urged to uplift Turkish airline restrictions in the coast!
Turkish-Airlines/Image Courtesy
By Caroline Kahonzi
Kwale county government has partnered with tourism stakeholders in search of a permanent solution to the challenges bedeviling the tourism sector.
The move comes at a time when the tourism sector is experiencing a low season of below 40 Percent, forcing the tourism investors in the coastal region to depend on hotel conferences.
Speaking during a consultative tourism stakeholder’s forum in Diani , Kwale County tourism and trade executive committee, CEC Michael Mutua says there is a need for frequent dialogues with stakeholders to address sensitive challenges facing the tourism sector in the coastal region .
“The County government alone can’t come up with an amicable solution surrounding the tourism sector without partnering with tourism investors and stakeholders ,there is need for discussions and doubling up efforts to boost the tourism sector ,”Said Mr.Mutua .
The CEC noted the restriction on Turkish airlines by the National government is an impediment to the growth of the sector.
“Restrictions on The Turkish airline have affected tourism growth in coast region , we are appealing to our county governor Fatuma Achani to table this issue before the council of governors to push the National government to open the sky’s for Turkish airline which has a huge tourism connection market in the world,the ban has really affected tourism in coast region ,” Posed Mr.Mutua .
Mr. Mutua said plans are underway of regulating cottages and villas to ensure fair tourists competition with the sector.
“ We have seen tourists coming to Diani but they are not found in hotels ,their whereabouts is not known that is why we want to regulate the cottages and villas accordingly for the county government to get a chance of collecting revenue and at the same time create job opportunities to our youth ,if we allow cottages and villas to operate without regulations we will kill our hotel industry ,” emphasized Mr.Mutua .
He added that the county government has set aside funds this financial year to market Diani as a tourism destination.
Kioko Musyoki, manager of Leopard beach hotel reiterated that the Turkish airline landing in Zanzibar would be a big blow to the tourism sector in Kenya .
“the major challenge we are facing is the travels of international tourists ,Turkish airline has been our front line airline flying tourists to our country ,so we thought the government would open the sky for the Turkish airline that has over 73 connection markets in the world,the move by our neighbor Zanzibar authorizing Turkish airline to flocking tourists in their country will be a blow to us,Said Mr.Musyoki .
Kenya Association of Hotel-keepers and Caterers (KAHC) coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye says the tourism industry is optimistic of the high season from July , calling upon the National government to ensure the country remains calm .
“we are actually expecting an increase in foreign and domestic visitors from July if the government will manage the political challenges experienced leading to demonstrations that cause destruction of properties and claim lives of innocent people then the tourism industry will be strengthened ,” Said Mr.Ikwaye .
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