Up to 80
percent of bookings in the Kenya tourism industry are going to be adversely affected
due to corona virus epidemic.
As more cases of the virus are being reported across
African countries, the Kenya government has suspended travel from countries
that have reported corona virus cases.
The ban was made by President Uhuru
Kenyatta when addressing journalist, “The government is suspending travel for
all persons coming into Kenya from any country with reported coronavirus cases.
Only Kenyan citizens and any foreigners with valid residence permits will be
allowed to come in provided they proceed on self-quarantine or to a government
designated quarantine facility.”
The impact is going to hurt other areas of the economy
that depend directly or indirectly on the tourism industry.
The closure of schools and other institution of learning
is a big blow to domestic tourism. Student from learning institution accounts
for almost 40 percent the Kenyan domestic tourism.
“We have suspended learning in all our education
institutions with immediate effect. Consequently, and to facilitate a phased
approach, primary and secondary day schools are to suspend operations from
tomorrow,” Said the president.
Most school trips involve academic trips to museum,
national parks and other historical sites.
For those tourists who are in Kenya, the ban on the
gathering, including social gathering will limit their experiences in Kenya.
Until this epidemic that has engulfed the globe in fear
is dealt with, tourism in Kenya and the rest of the world is going to be
affected.