The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) has cautioned both domestic and international visitors against engaging with unlicensed tourism businesses, stating that such interactions could lead to fraudulent activities and subpar service delivery.
A notice issued by the regulator on Wednesday, July 22, advised travelers, hotels, tour operators, digital travel platforms, and tourist transport companies to confirm the valid licensing of any tourism enterprise prior to making payments.
“As Kenya enters the peak tourism season, the TRA reminds stakeholders and the public to engage only tourism enterprises holding a valid TRA licence,” the Authority said.
The regulatory body further emphasized that all tourism businesses should verify the licensing credentials of their partners before processing payments, making referrals, or entering into commercial contracts.
“In particular, no TRA-licensed tourism enterprise should pay commissions, referral fees or any other form of remuneration to a person or entity required to be licensed under the Tourism Act, 2011, unless they hold a valid TRA licence,” TRA emphasised.
The authority instructed licensed tourism businesses to demand proof of a valid TRA licence before issuing commission or referral payments, and to ensure the licence is up-to-date and genuinely belongs to the entity presenting it.
The TRA stated that engaging in business with unlicensed tourism entities contravenes Kenya’s tourism legislation and may lead to punitive regulatory measures.
“Such operations undermine compliant businesses, expose visitors and enterprises to fraud and substandard services, and damage Kenya’s reputation as a safe and high-quality tourism destination,” the Authority said.
To assist stakeholders in licence verification, the TRA recommended that businesses and travelers reach out to the authority if they have any doubts regarding the legitimacy of a tourism operator’s licence before finalizing any transaction.
This guidance follows increased scrutiny of Kenya’s tourism industry, prompted by recent political comments from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which ignited discussions about the nation’s security.
Gachagua reportedly advised international tourists and investors to delay their trips to Kenya until after the 2027 General Election, asserting that the country was facing political instability.
These statements drew extensive condemnation from tourism industry participants, who cautioned that such comments could jeopardize years of work dedicated to promoting Kenya internationally.
In response to these remarks, the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) refuted the assertions, maintaining that Kenya continues to be a secure and appealing location for both visitors and investors.
The federation noted that although all Kenyans possess the constitutional freedom to voice their opinions, declarations that depict the nation as unsafe carry significant economic repercussions.
