Tourists arrive at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa in the past. Hoteliers and tour firms have asked the government to tighten security. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
Tourism players have asked the national government to provide police escorts for tourists in the wake of rising insecurity.
They also want the government to revitalise the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) through additional personnel, equipment and training for them to secure holidaymakers.
The tourism industry is feeling the pinch of latest attacks linked to terrorism that saw the UK and the US issue travel advisories, angering the Kenyan government.
Tourism players have asked the national government to provide police escorts for tourists in the wake of rising insecurity.
They also want the government to revitalise the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) through additional personnel, equipment and training for them to secure holidaymakers.
The appeal comes two days after a Russian tourist was shot by thugs at Old Town and she later died while being treated at a Mombasa hospital.
Tuesday, Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato) Coast branch chairperson Monika Solanki said the attack on the Russian tourist could have been avoided if the visitors were under watch.
“Following the attack on a tourist on Mombasa Island, we propose that the government provide police escorts to tourists who are visiting towns,” she said, adding that the escorts should also be accorded to holidaymakers on wild safaris and other tourist hotspots.
The Kato official said the TPU in Mombasa had become ineffective due to understaffing and limited training on how to take care of tourists.
“The Tourist Police Unit at the Coast has a skeleton personnel and, therefore, they are unable to secure visitors on holiday.”
She added that there was need for the tourist police to learn foreign languages to overcome language barriers.
The tourism industry is feeling the pinch of latest attacks linked to terrorism that saw the UK and the US issue travel advisories, angering the Kenyan government.
Although the government had said it would start wooing tourists from other source markets, it recently made a U-turn when the Tourism minister Phyllis Kandie toured the UK and US to market the country and woo visitors.
Meanwhile, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association chairman Mohamed Hersi has asked the county chiefs to supplement the government’s efforts to make Mombasa secure.
He added that the recent shooting was an isolated case, saying it was the first time that a tourist had been attacked at Old Town.
“Normally, Old Town is a safe haven. The locals should volunteer information to police for the culprits to face the law.
“The county has a role to play in providing security in tourist sites of Old Town, Fort Jesus and Mama Ngina drive to safeguard visitors,” Mr Hersi said.
He also reiterated that tourists on excursions should be accorded security. “In the wake of a tourism downturn, efforts must be put in place so that the few tourists who are here feel secure.”
The Kenya Association of Hotel keepers and Caterers Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye asked the government to secure tourist sites.
Mr Ikwaye said that tourists flock to the Old Town due to its rich history and cultural values, and its security was a priority.
