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KENYAN tourism was dealt a blow because of violence following a disputed presidential election, with revenues down 54% this year.

The tourist board said revenues of the industry, a key foreign exchange earner for the East African country, plummeted to 8.08 billion shillings (R977 million) from 17.5 billion shillings during the January to March period last year.

Foreign tour operators suspended trips to Kenya after President Mwai Kibaki’s disputed re-election in December triggered ethnic clashes in which 1 200 people were killed.

The Kenya Tourist Board said tourist arrivals fell 45% to 274 419 in the first three months of this year from 501 863 in the same period last year while occupancy rates dropped to an average 30% compared with 86% in the same period a year ago.

“The sector expected to earn an estimated 21 billion shillings in the first quarter of 2008. However, with the circumstances that faced the destination, earnings for the quarter declined ... to 8.08 billion shillings,” said board managing director Ongong’a Achieng.

The political crisis in Kenya has now been resolved with the installation of a power-sharing coalition cabinet last month.

“We are not on a downward trend, we are on the path to recovery. We are going to brave the crisis and showcase Kenya as a stable and safe tourist destination,” Achieng said while announcing a new marketing campaign.

Tourism brought in 64.5 billion shillings last year, making it the second highest foreign exchange earner after horticulture.

Kenya’s wildlife parks and Indian Ocean beaches are a favourite with tourists from Britain, the US and Canada, among others. – Reuters

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