Kenya's tourism affected by ferry crisis

International tourists are experiencing travel difficulties and also miss their flights, due to the frequent ferry delays at the Likoni channel

Chief Executive officer James Kitavi of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mombasa declared that the ferry crisis had severely affected South Coast's economy, including tourism in Diani and Shimba Hills Game Reserve.

According to Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast branch Chairperson Monika Solanki, some of the tourists in Diani have not been able to reach the Moi International Airport in time for their outbound flights, due to up to three hour delays at the channel.

“After the just concluded Magical Kenya Travel Expo, many tourists were interested in going to Diani for leisure.

“Sadly, the ferry crisis is making both local and international visitors avoid traveling to the South Coast due to the delay nightmare”, Ms Solanki added.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast Chief Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye also said the transport crisis at Likoni is as well detaining attendance to the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) events in Diani, as both the government’s and the private sector’s efforts to boost South Coast's economy are affected.

“The government spent a lot of money in bringing international tour operators and travel agents to Diani during the recent travel show”, Ikwaye concluded.