Kenya calls for pact on tourism

[Ab-Titchaz]

Niaje mtu wangu,

Kwa post yangu sijasema balala amesoma, kilicho nidunga hapo ni vile huyu morio GU ana try ku divert hii thread, thread imeiva na tunaeza i discuss intellectually, lakini watu wakianza ku spit arguments hazina basis from the top of their heads, ita haribu kila kitu coz mimi sioni education background ya balala imetokea wapi and its common sense that your hospitality sector is dead, Everyone and their mamas know that.

Na wasilisha.

Mimi niko pouwa mtu wangu,

Geza Ulole asked for the man's CV just out of curiosity and I gave
him Balala's website. Ukipekua vizuri hio website his educational
background is not detailed but hazy making somebody suspicious
of Balala's intellectual ability to address weighty matters.

..kuhusu hio hospitality issue nadhani you are trying to force a point
that is not there. Tanzanians are miles ahead when it comes to hospitality
as compared to Kenyans. Labda mumetuzidi na hayo mahoteli yenu
lakini sio eti kwa sababu ya ukarimu au ustaarabu.

Umenipata hapo?

 

[Geza Ulole]

Niaje mtu wangu,

Kwa post yangu sijasema balala amesoma, kilicho nidunga hapo ni vile huyu morio GU ana try ku divert hii thread, thread imeiva na tunaeza i discuss intellectually, lakini watu wakianza ku spit arguments hazina basis from the top of their heads, ita haribu kila kitu coz mimi sioni education background ya balala imetokea wapi and its common sense that your hospitality sector is dead, Everyone and their mamas know that.

Na wasilisha.

Balala gaffs alot and no substance always so I am trying to let Tanzanians understand his illiteracy! Gotchya!!!

 

[Wacha1]

Watalilia sana visivyo vyao. Kwani watalii wanatoka Kenya? Unasaini pacts na nchi zinazoleta watalii sio Nyang'au.

 

[Smatta]

Mimi niko pouwa mtu wangu,

Geza Ulole asked for the man's CV just out of curiosity and I gave
him Balala's website. Ukipekua vizuri hio website his educational
background is not detailed but hazy making somebody suspicious
of Balala's intellectual ability to address weighty matters.

..kuhusu hio hospitality issue nadhani you are trying to force a point
that is not there. Tanzanians are miles ahead when it comes to hospitality
as compared to Kenyans. Labda mumetuzidi na hayo mahoteli yenu
lakini sio eti kwa sababu ya ukarimu au ustaarabu.

Umenipata hapo?

Nakupata mkuu, lakini tukiwa tunasoma articles kama hizi daily kwa net, arguments zenyu zinakuwa watered down.

Why do hotels and foreign companies prefer to employ workers from neighbouring Kenya or other service oriented countries? Tanzanians are among the friendliest people on Earth. Long term peace breads friendliness and friendly people look good.

The attitude of Tanzanian workers towards provision of quality service frequently sucks. Drivers of government departments or companies feel as if they are doing fellow employees a favour when they take them to assignments or home at the end of a working day.

They expect something in return for doing such favour. They expect something more than a thank you from female colleagues. Cheeky, eh? Some private sector drivers behave similarly, acting like they are kings even when hired for a wedding, funeral or a trip upcountry.

Which car-hire company would want to hire a driver who will drop tourists and visitors near their destination, point the way to them and not help with their bags? Or a security guard who leaves his post at the gate to chat with the maid or daughter of the house, leaving his compound at the mercy of robbers?

A guard in Malawi, Zimbabwe or Botswana will rather suffer starvation than leave his post for a glass of water. A Kenyan driver can act as an interpreter, luggage handler, tour guide and handyman. For him, the customer is king. For a responsible driver, being late to pick workers is unacceptable and being absent is a cardinal sin only punishable by eternal damnation.

Some of our local restaurant and bar attendants are something. They watch a customer come in, take a seat but then ignore him, hoping someone else will attend him. Let’s say the customer waits for a long two minutes and then shout for attention. A waiter reluctantly comes over. Excuse me sir, have you been heard?

Maybe it is the ‘ndugu’ mentality we acquired during the years Tanzania prophesied to be socialist. Essential goods were easily unavailable and necessities became luxuries. Service was dumped from the meny. You bribed someone to facilitate withdrawal of your salary from your account.

Those old leopards haven’t lost their spots and offering timely and efficient service is a luxury banks need to reinstate for their customers. Computers seem not to have made depositing and withdrawing money and faster than the old manual recording on paper ledgers.

Oh, the unending long queues at banks these days. End of the month is chaos time at NBC and NMB branches all over the country. Just go to the NMB Bank House branch or the NBC corporate branch any day. Their lobbies resemble Msimbazi Street at five o’clock. It is show time at Mlimani city for local banks.

Inside each branch you will see two cashiers serving the assembled masses at a leisurely pace, just like their ‘cousins’ at other branches in any Bongo town. There are long lines in front of ATMs that rival the recent queues of South African voters who recently ushered President Zuma into office.

Some of our local banks have up to ten cashier windows but it is rare to find half the service windows manned with live cashiers even at peak times. Sometimes the live cashiers put up ‘dead’ signs that read ‘window closed, go to next counter.’ And would you believe it, the next counter could be empty too.

And they are not giving this slow service for free you know. You get charged for depositing and withdrawing by cheque and for making transfers. You could be charged for depositing school fees or wedding contribution in a bank where you have no account.. It may be legal but is it acceptable or socially responsible?

At this rate, parents with school age children ought to have accounts in NBC, NMB and CRDB to avoid extra charges.

Tanzania is still selling forests and wildlife destinations when majority of tourists want the sun, sand, food, dancing and shopping. Perhaps the land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and safari beer and travels needs to start selling wildlife and wildlife products. We better learn to serve because the rest of the world are not ‘ndugus’ but ‘waheshimiwa’.

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/columnist/?n=2242&cat=columnist

 

[Geza Ulole]

Watalilia sana visivyo vyao. Kwani watalii wanatoka Kenya? Unasaini pacts na nchi zinazoleta watalii sio Nyang'au.

love it

 

[Geza Ulole]

Nakupata mkuu, lakini tukiwa tunasoma articles kama hizi daily kwa net, arguments zenyu zinakuwa watered down.

Why do hotels and foreign companies prefer to employ workers from neighbouring Kenya or other service oriented countries? Tanzanians are among the friendliest people on Earth. Long term peace breads friendliness and friendly people look good.

The attitude of Tanzanian workers towards provision of quality service frequently sucks. Drivers of government departments or companies feel as if they are doing fellow employees a favour when they take them to assignments or home at the end of a working day.

They expect something in return for doing such favour. They expect something more than a thank you from female colleagues. Cheeky, eh? Some private sector drivers behave similarly, acting like they are kings even when hired for a wedding, funeral or a trip upcountry.

Which car-hire company would want to hire a driver who will drop tourists and visitors near their destination, point the way to them and not help with their bags? Or a security guard who leaves his post at the gate to chat with the maid or daughter of the house, leaving his compound at the mercy of robbers?

A guard in Malawi, Zimbabwe or Botswana will rather suffer starvation than leave his post for a glass of water. A Kenyan driver can act as an interpreter, luggage handler, tour guide and handyman. For him, the customer is king. For a responsible driver, being late to pick workers is unacceptable and being absent is a cardinal sin only punishable by eternal damnation.

Some of our local restaurant and bar attendants are something. They watch a customer come in, take a seat but then ignore him, hoping someone else will attend him. Let's say the customer waits for a long two minutes and then shout for attention. A waiter reluctantly comes over. Excuse me sir, have you been heard?

Maybe it is the ‘ndugu' mentality we acquired during the years Tanzania prophesied to be socialist. Essential goods were easily unavailable and necessities became luxuries. Service was dumped from the meny. You bribed someone to facilitate withdrawal of your salary from your account.

Those old leopards haven't lost their spots and offering timely and efficient service is a luxury banks need to reinstate for their customers. Computers seem not to have made depositing and withdrawing money and faster than the old manual recording on paper ledgers.

Oh, the unending long queues at banks these days. End of the month is chaos time at NBC and NMB branches all over the country. Just go to the NMB Bank House branch or the NBC corporate branch any day. Their lobbies resemble Msimbazi Street at five o'clock. It is show time at Mlimani city for local banks.

Inside each branch you will see two cashiers serving the assembled masses at a leisurely pace, just like their ‘cousins' at other branches in any Bongo town. There are long lines in front of ATMs that rival the recent queues of South African voters who recently ushered President Zuma into office.

Some of our local banks have up to ten cashier windows but it is rare to find half the service windows manned with live cashiers even at peak times. Sometimes the live cashiers put up ‘dead' signs that read ‘window closed, go to next counter.' And would you believe it, the next counter could be empty too.

And they are not giving this slow service for free you know. You get charged for depositing and withdrawing by cheque and for making transfers. You could be charged for depositing school fees or wedding contribution in a bank where you have no account.. It may be legal but is it acceptable or socially responsible?

At this rate, parents with school age children ought to have accounts in NBC, NMB and CRDB to avoid extra charges.

Tanzania is still selling forests and wildlife destinations when majority of tourists want the sun, sand, food, dancing and shopping. Perhaps the land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and safari beer and travels needs to start selling wildlife and wildlife products. We better learn to serve because the rest of the world are not ‘ndugus' but ‘waheshimiwa'.

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/columnist/?n=2242&cat=columnist

The writer is simply suffering from Kenya syndrome! that all i can say i lived in Kenya and i know everything from the way the Matatus behave to the way Taxis behave! even tour drivers! no difference between them and us! May be he talks of Kenya of 1980s when Swiss were running Utalii college but not today all the respective insititutions lost credibility! That's Kenya glorification i am against! If we want to learn anything on Tourism and Hospitality, we better learn from Botswana, South Africa or Egypt! Finitooooo!

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Nakupata mkuu, lakini tukiwa tunasoma articles kama hizi daily kwa net, arguments zenyu zinakuwa watered down.

Why do hotels and foreign companies prefer to employ workers from neighbouring Kenya or other service oriented countries? Tanzanians are among the friendliest people on Earth. Long term peace breads friendliness and friendly people look good.

The attitude of Tanzanian workers towards provision of quality service frequently sucks. Drivers of government departments or companies feel as if they are doing fellow employees a favour when they take them to assignments or home at the end of a working day.

They expect something in return for doing such favour. They expect something more than a thank you from female colleagues. Cheeky, eh? Some private sector drivers behave similarly, acting like they are kings even when hired for a wedding, funeral or a trip upcountry.

Which car-hire company would want to hire a driver who will drop tourists and visitors near their destination, point the way to them and not help with their bags? Or a security guard who leaves his post at the gate to chat with the maid or daughter of the house, leaving his compound at the mercy of robbers?

A guard in Malawi, Zimbabwe or Botswana will rather suffer starvation than leave his post for a glass of water. A Kenyan driver can act as an interpreter, luggage handler, tour guide and handyman. For him, the customer is king. For a responsible driver, being late to pick workers is unacceptable and being absent is a cardinal sin only punishable by eternal damnation.

Some of our local restaurant and bar attendants are something. They watch a customer come in, take a seat but then ignore him, hoping someone else will attend him. Let’s say the customer waits for a long two minutes and then shout for attention. A waiter reluctantly comes over. Excuse me sir, have you been heard?

Maybe it is the ‘ndugu’ mentality we acquired during the years Tanzania prophesied to be socialist. Essential goods were easily unavailable and necessities became luxuries. Service was dumped from the meny. You bribed someone to facilitate withdrawal of your salary from your account.

Those old leopards haven’t lost their spots and offering timely and efficient service is a luxury banks need to reinstate for their customers. Computers seem not to have made depositing and withdrawing money and faster than the old manual recording on paper ledgers.

Oh, the unending long queues at banks these days. End of the month is chaos time at NBC and NMB branches all over the country. Just go to the NMB Bank House branch or the NBC corporate branch any day. Their lobbies resemble Msimbazi Street at five o’clock. It is show time at Mlimani city for local banks.

Inside each branch you will see two cashiers serving the assembled masses at a leisurely pace, just like their ‘cousins’ at other branches in any Bongo town. There are long lines in front of ATMs that rival the recent queues of South African voters who recently ushered President Zuma into office.

Some of our local banks have up to ten cashier windows but it is rare to find half the service windows manned with live cashiers even at peak times. Sometimes the live cashiers put up ‘dead’ signs that read ‘window closed, go to next counter.’ And would you believe it, the next counter could be empty too.

And they are not giving this slow service for free you know. You get charged for depositing and withdrawing by cheque and for making transfers. You could be charged for depositing school fees or wedding contribution in a bank where you have no account.. It may be legal but is it acceptable or socially responsible?

At this rate, parents with school age children ought to have accounts in NBC, NMB and CRDB to avoid extra charges.

Tanzania is still selling forests and wildlife destinations when majority of tourists want the sun, sand, food, dancing and shopping. Perhaps the land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and safari beer and travels needs to start selling wildlife and wildlife products. We better learn to serve because the rest of the world are not ‘ndugus’ but ‘waheshimiwa’.

http://www.dailynews.co.tz/columnist/?n=2242&cat=columnist

Smatta,

huyu mbongo aliyeandika hii article anafaa kupigwa kisha kwa mtazamo
wangu hajatembea Kenya maana most of the stuff he is talking about also
happens in Kenya...or better yet labda Kenya wamemlipa apake tope. Who
knows.

This here shows you that he is suffering from some kind of inferiority
complex:

We better learn to serve because the rest of the world are not ‘ndugus’ but ‘waheshimiwa’

Hata Kenya wenyewe sijasikia customers wakiitwa waheshimiwa.Damn!

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

The writer is simply suffering from Kenya syndrome! that all i can say i lived in Kenya and i know everything from the way the Matatus behave to the way Taxis behave! even tour drivers! may be he talks of Kenya of 1980 but not today! That's Kenya glorification i am against! If we want to learn anything on Tourism and Hospitality, we better learn from Botswana, south Africa or Egypt! Finitooooo!

You beat to the punch mate maana thats exactly what I thought when
I read the article.

Smatta, next!

 

[Abunwasi]

Wazee mimi ninaipenda sana kenya kwani sehemu yangu ya ujana ilishamiri huko. Ukweli ni kwamba hawa wenzetu ukiona wanataka ushirikiano basi ujue kuna 'catch' ingekuwa uganda au zambia ningefurahi sana kwani tungekuwa na intergrated tourism circuit' lakini hawa wenzetu wameshamaliza beach zao kutoka kaskazini hadi vanga sasa wanasololea extensive crystal clear beach ambayo inaanzia kutoka mpakani kwao hadi matwara. Vilevile national parks zao nyingi zimekuwa encroached na human settlements hivyo kuathirika. Maoni yangu ni kuwa tujaribu kejenga na kulinda raslimali zetu na zitumike kwa manufaa ya watoto na wajukuu wetu. Mimi ninaamin juu ya kutudharau lakini katika kipindi cha miaka mitano ijayo tutakuwa mbali sana. Unajua hata huu ushirikiano wa kiuchumi waliutaka kwa vile wanajua tz ni soko kubwa kuliko nchi nyingine yoyote ea.

 

[Bongo Lala]

dont shake a hand that would stab your back. My brothers Tanzanians never trust Kenyans hata japo kuna this EAC thing, these guys are just greedy. walizoea kusema Mt Kilimanjaro iko kwao nao TZ imeamka inafanya international promotion ndo wanataka pact, to hell with the pact. I adore Balala as a politician but kwa hili i beg to differ

 

[Smatta]

Smatta,

huyu mbongo aliyeandika hii article anafaa kupigwa kisha kwa mtazamo
wangu hajatembea Kenya maana most of the stuff he is talking about also
happens in Kenya...or better yet labda Kenya wamemlipa apake tope. Who
knows.

This here shows you that he is suffering from some kind of inferiority
complex:



Hata Kenya wenyewe sijasikia customers wakiitwa waheshimiwa.Damn!

Kenya hawajamlipa yeyote. The writer has just confirmed what we all know, thats his opinion though, and he is Tanzanian, am wondering how much you would have chewed him off if he was Kenyan.

 

[Abunwasi]

Huyu jamaa ana asili ya kisiwa cha Lamu na wenyewe wanapenda kuitwa waamu kwani jinaa maarufu la kabila lao hawapendi litumike and out of respect for them siwezi kulitaja hapa jamvini

 

[Certified]

Kenya Starting to See Tourism Numbers Rise

Tiffany Phillips November 24th, 2009 Travel News, World News


It now seems that many people who are planning their vacations are heading to Kenya. This news comes in as reports show that Kenya’s tourism industry, which plummeted after political turmoil back in 2007, has finally started to recover. In fact, the reports show that rates, despite the recession, are almost up to pre-2007 election levels.
According to reports, the number of tourists arriving to the area has risen by 90 percent from last year, and is expected to reach levels that will take it up to 2007 levels by next March. The tourism minister for Kenya, Najib Balala, when speaking at the ninth Lamu Culutral Festival, added that the influx in guests is mostly coming due to the European winter season. People in Europe are looking to beat the cold and get to warmer weather.
The number of charter flights going to Mombasa is expected to soar to 30 a week. This is a big jump from the current 20 flights a week. Apparently airlines in Belgium, France, Holland, and even Ethipian airlines are adding flights to Mombasa to cater to the rise in demand
Mr Balala went on to say that he was very happy that their marketing campaigns in Europe and in other countries are starting to bear fruit. Overall, the sector has recovered by 90 percent, and they expect it to fully recover by March of next year. Many new airlines in Europe are starting to launch direct flights to Mombasa, and it has boosted tourist numbers.
Although the number of people taking a holiday this winter season is lower than it has been in the past, experts think that many people will still be traveling to Kenya. This is due to the warm weather and the fact that many may just be looking to get out of Europe for a bit and see the world.

In 2007 Kenya recieved more that 2 million tourist arrivals and the figure reduced in 2008 due to the post election violence.

From the article relating to this post i can conclude that on average a tourist spends USD 2000 in tanzania and USD 4000 in Kenya.

This tells a lot... dont u think so? I will generaly spend more if am being treated well.

 

[Geza Ulole]

Huyu jamaa ana asili ya kisiwa cha Lamu na wenyewe wanapenda kuitwa waamu kwani jinaa maarufu la kabila lao hawapendi litumike and out of respect for them siwezi kulitaja hapa jamvini

ni PM basi

 

[Geza Ulole]

In 2007 Kenya recieved more that 2 million tourist arrivals and the figure reduced in 2008 due to the post election violence.

From the article relating to this post i can conclude that on average a tourist spends USD 2000 in tanzania and USD 4000 in Kenya.

This tells a lot... dont u think so? I will generaly spend more if am being treated well.

Forget it there was an error on those figures! You know it is a Nationmedia newspaper so plenty of propagandas! On average Tanzania has been getting more per tourist than Kenya! that's why we have had fewer tourists (i.e. before 2007 election aftermath) compared to Kenya but revenuewise Tanzania has earned more! get your facts right!

 

[Smatta]

ni PM basi

Stick to what is important, leave the side shows to the kids homs.

 

[Geza Ulole]

Stick to what is important, leave the side shows to the kids homs.

Si I want to expose you guys you have a Yemenia guy ruling that country of yours and you are bragging here!

 

[JokaKuu]

..Kenyans sound too desperate.

 

[nomasana]

Forget it there was an error on those figures! You know it is a Nationmedia newspaper so plenty of propagandas! On average Tanzania has been getting more per tourist than Kenya! that's why we have had fewer tourists (i.e. before 2007 election aftermath) compared to Kenya but revenuewise Tanzania has earned more! get your facts right!

in 2008 kenya had 200,000 fewer than tz. kenya had 3 months of NO tourists. tanzania still could not capitalise on that becuz tz only earned 200million more than kenya. that means that kenya per tourist earned more than tanzania.

second in 2007 tanzania earned more per tourist becuz it is the most expensive tourist destination in EA. while that strategy might be working now in the long run its not sustainable

here is why

http://216.69.164.44/ipp/observer/2009/03/22/133842.html

Dar to lose tourism market share to Kenya and Uganda

Tanzania is likely to lose its tourism market share to Kenya and Uganda in the face of the global financial crisis as the country maintains‘business as usual` attitude.

Uganda was the first country in the region to lower its entry fees by 50 percent for tourists in December 2008, before Kenya had to borrow a leaf by reducing visa fees for tourists by 50 percent.

As a result, Kenya and Uganda are currently considered as the cheapest destinations, compared to other EA partner states including Tanzania with similar tourist attractions.

Apparently Tanzania`s public sector is undecided on the incentives to be offered for tourists, while the private sector has already reduced 10 to 15 percent of tourist package in response to financial meltdown.

Despite the global financial slowdown, reality is still maintaining tight-lipped style. To date the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has made no statement regarding the kind of measures, either being taken or are underway to rescue the tourism industry.

Recent efforts by The Guardian on Sunday to get a word from the Director of Planning, Development Projects and Tourism Services with TANAPA, Allan Kijazi proved futile.

``The issue is so sensitive we cannot discuss through telephone,`` Kijazi responded recently when asked to comment on the issue of precautionary measures taken by his authority.

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) says its members have already slashed their tourist package prices by between 10 and 15 percent as a way to encourage tourists to visit Tanzania.

``We have done our part, but it is unfortunate the public sector still maintains a go slow in reducing entry and visa fees to tourists wishing to come and sample our tourist attractions,`` says TATO Chief Executive Secretary, Mustafa Akunaay.

``It is high time for the Tanzanian authority to read the signs of the time by hatching a plan, like to lower its entry fees to national parks, in order to get a share from tourists who are shifting goals,`` Akunaay says.

According to him, Tanzania is facing stiff competition because its tourist attractions are also available elsewhere and mostly are easily accessed and are cheaper.

``Our disadvantage is that our products seem to be expensive even in the wake of the global economic slowdown, yet we don`t have a national carrier, all these factors will deny us to tap our share on the global tourism market,`` TATO boss says.

Nearly 60 percent of the total travel package normally goes to air tickets, which means Tanzania with no airline will loose over half of its revenue to the international airlines, he noted.

Akunaay was of the view that apart from lowering entry fees, Tanzania ought to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on tourism products, waive visa fees and shelve Ngorongoro Creator service fees.

``Other mitigations are to lower landing fees and ground handling charges for tourists in international flights during the recession period as a way to attract tourists,`` he stressed.

Tanzania has already trimmed its 2009 tourism earnings forecast of $1bn from 950,000 visitors, by about three percent due to the global economic downturn.

The state-run-Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) also has cut its projection of 2009 tourist numbers by the same amount.

The marketing board is yet to compile its 2008 figures, but it expects the second largest East African economy to have fetched close to $1.3bn from about 840,000 visitors.

Tourists come to Tanzania to enjoy the beaches on its coastline and the Zanzibar archipelago, the national parks such as the Selous in the southeast and the Serengeti in the north, as well as to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Uganda
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) late last year announced to slash entry fees by 50 percent as a way to attract more tourists who are looking for cheaper destinations.

``We want people to enjoy the natural wonders available in Uganda,`` Moses Mapesa, the UWA Executive Director announced in December 2008 before Christmas.

Uganda`s famous national parks include Murchison, Queen, Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kibale, Kidepo and Ruwenzori.

New park entry fees, allow Ugandans and other East Africans to pay the same tariff effectively January 1, 2009. Adults will be paying 5,000 and 2,500 Uganda shillings for children.

The Managing Director African Pearls Safaris and board member Uganda Tourism Association (UTA), Geoffrey Baluku, says the Uganda’s entry fees reduction is the right move to attract tourists who are scouting for cheaper destinations.

``If Uganda taps into this opportunity, revenue collection from National parks, the major tourist attraction is set to increase and new jobs created as the private sector will progressively increase investments in accommodation and eating facilities``.

He added that considering that Uganda is competing on the world market with the sole aim of penetrating it, it is necessary for emphasis to be put on quality products at competitive prices.

Looking at the Ugandan tourism sector’s performance in 2007, almost 642,000 tourists visited Uganda compared to 540,000 in 2006.

This number is considered the highest Uganda has ever experienced and thus represents an increase of almost 19 percent over the year before.

Ugandan tourism brought $449 million (Shs853 billion) into the economy in 2007 compared to $375million (Shs712 billion) in 2006.

Experts in the industry say on overall each visitor to Uganda, spends about $750 per (Shs1, 4 million) when this is translated into the country’s GDP has increased from 1.98 percent in 2006 to 2.33 percent in 2007.

Kenya
Visa fees for tourists visiting Kenya will be reduced by half, starting next month (April).

The move, aimed at stimulating demand for family travel, has also seen the government scrap visa fees for children below 16 years, who are going to Kenya as tourists.

Currently, the fee is about Sh4, 000 (or $50) and could be reduced to $25. The offer will expire in December, 2009.

Speaking in Berlin, Germany, last Sunday, Kenya`s Tourism Minister Najib Balala said, the offer was expected to increase tourist arrivals by 10 to 15 per cent this year despite the current global economic crisis.

The Kenyan government recently allocated an extra Sh250 million to the Kenya Tourist Board for enhanced marketing.

The announcement of the latest government incentive is said to have been received well by participants at the ITB, which is the biggest tourism trade show in the world. It has more than 10,000 exhibitors from all over the world and over 180,000 visitors.

According to the Kenyan Bureau of Statistics, the tourism sector declined 34.7 percent over most of last year.

The Kenya Tourism Board itself estimates tourist arrivals between January and October last year shrunk 35.2 percent, from 873,000 to 565,000. Updated figures from the KTB are yet to be released.

 

[Wacha1]

second in 2007 tanzania earned more per tourist becuz it is the most expensive tourist destination in EA. while that strategy might be working now in the long run its not sustainable

Tanzania hatutaki makombo ya tourists. Waendelee tu kwenda Kenya na Uganda mbona sisi wenyewe hatulalamiki kuhusu hilo?

Hivi sasa ukiangalia statistics SA wanalalamika kwamba hawapati cream ya tourists - Yaani wale wanaoweza kulipa $500 na ushee kwa kulala na kutumbua kwa siku. Hao gap year students waendelee tu kwenda Kenya kwani wao wana uncles kule ulaya.

Tena watalii ambao hawana fweza tabu yao ni uharibifu wa mbuga zetu. Hatuwataki.