Tourism stakeholders warn inflammatory political rhetoric could hurt visitor arrivals

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Executive Director Sam Ikwaye during a Mombasa Tourism Council meeting. (Photo: Courtesy)

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The caution comes amid increasing political statements that have drawn criticism for bordering on hate speech, raising concerns over their potential impact on one of the country’s leading economic sectors.

Tourism stakeholders have warned that inflammatory political rhetoric could undermine Kenya’s tourism industry, saying growing political tensions risk damaging the country’s image and discouraging international visitors.
The caution comes amid increasing political statements that have drawn criticism for bordering on hate speech, raising concerns over their potential impact on one of the country’s leading economic sectors.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Executive Director Sam Ikwaye said leaders should exercise restraint, noting that the industry supports millions of livelihoods and remains a major contributor to the Coast and national economies.

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He also renewed calls for the implementation of an open skies policy, arguing that increasing direct international flights to the Coast would boost tourist arrivals.
“That is why we insist that we need the open skies policy to liberalise the airspace so that more planes can bring tourists directly to the Coast region,” he said.
The government has set a target of five million international visitors after Kenya recorded a historic 2.7 million arrivals last year, generating about Sh500 billion in tourism earnings.
The graduation marked a milestone for workers whose skills have been formally recognised through the Recognition of Prior Learning programme.
The national initiative assesses and certifies competencies acquired through informal employment and work experience, enabling participants to obtain recognised qualifications without undergoing conventional training. The graduates were sponsored through the Tourism Fund.
Kenya Coast National Polytechnic Council Chairperson Patricia Mbogo said the programme is helping bridge the gap for skilled workers who have lacked formal qualifications despite years of experience.
“Through this RPL programme, these young people can now have documents that, coupled with their skills, will open doors for them to work in any part of the world,” Mbogo said.

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