Effects of the Pandemic on Kenyan Tourism

The global tourism industry has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as many continue to question, is it worth taking the risk to travel?

As the one-year mark of the pandemic passes, many countries are still seeing significant impacts of the pandemic, particularly in the decline in tourism.

The World Tourism Organization ranks tourism as the world’s third-largest export category representing 7% of global trade. Supporting one in 10 jobs, tourism has been one of the most affected industries significantly affecting world economies and livelihoods.

Things aren’t any different in the East African nation of Kenya, which is seeing its travel plummet by 50 percent.

According to CNN Travel, of the 193 countries in the World recognized by the United Nations, each country has its approach to travel and tourism. Asia has become the most restrictive with Turkey welcoming tourists with very few restrictions.

On the other hand, Kenya, known as one of the most popular destinations for wildlife safaris and cultural vacations, falls somewhat in the middle regarding travel restrictions. By the end of October 2020, the Kenyan tourism ministry had reported that the industry had already lost 110 billion Kenya shillings (($999.55 million).

In many parts of Africa, travel restrictions have led to alarming impacts on nature and wildlife conservation. In Africa, they are struggling with increased poaching as fewer tourism dollars are available to be allocated to conservation efforts and fewer tourists and safari guides are present in threatened areas. In addition, donations to anti-poaching organizations have decreased.

Although Kenya accounts for 7% of the world's tourism relating to wildlife, and the economic sector growing by 3% yearly, wildlife has not been affected as dramatically as the rest of Africa. There have been reductions in safari travel and donations to wildlife, but according to Melinda Rees, who has worked in Kenya’s tourism sector for 30 years, “the rise in poaching has not been so much of a problem in Kenya as the conservancies are generally community owned by the Masai and they continue to protect these remote areas.”

A positive outcome of reduced international travel to Kenya is that hotel prices have been lowered, allowing some locals the first opportunity to travel in their own country. Kenya is optimistic that they will eventually have a recovery from the effects of the pandemic, although it may take up to two years, according to Earth Island Journal. Unlike many other areas in Africa, Kenya is ahead of the game with its community based models already in place supporting the future of wildlife.

By Skylar Elliot

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