Tourism defies election jitters to grow 7.7 per cent

Tourist arrivals rose 7.7 per cent in the three months to September, defying the gloom that was expected with the prolonged electioneering period ahead of the August 8 poll.

Official data shows 282,473 foreigners landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, up from 262, 149 in a similar period last year.

Tourism is one of the few sectors that managed growth in a quarter that saw private sector activity drop to record lows as prolonged political instability exerted a heavy toll on the economy.

“We have not been affected by booking cancellations during the long election period as the South Coast has remained peaceful,” said Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa managing director Bobby Kamani.

Output in Kenya’s private sector contracted for six straight months in October, according to a Stanbic Bank market index that tracks manufacturing and services, as new orders and employment contracted on poll jitters.

READ: Local tourists flock to the coast for end-year festivities

The Supreme Court nullified the August presidential result in which President Uhuru Kenyatta was re-elected, ordering a re-run to be held on October 26 that Mr Kenyatta also won.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga boycotted that poll, arguing that it would not be fair.

Tourism was spared, though the 7.7 per cent growth in quarter three was slower compared to the 11.4 per cent witnessed in the six months to June.

Mr Kamani reckoned that most top hotels at the Coast enjoyed occupancy of up to 70 per cent in the three months to September.

Large numbers of tourists flocked the Mara from July to catch a glimpse of the wildebeest migration spectacle.

The tourism growth is welcome news to hoteliers who had been forced to cut jobs, slash pay and close shop following the crippling effects of several travel alerts issued in 2014 after a spate of terrorist attacks on holiday getaway towns.