President Kenyatta leads Kenya national day celebrations at Expo 2020

Kenya is taking its turn in the spotlight at Expo 2020 in Dubai as the country celebrates its national day.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led a flag-raising ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza earlier this morning, with hundreds of onlookers present.

He was welcomed by sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Kenyatta said: “I wish at the onset of my remarks today to congratulate the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates for the successful and safe management of this expo.

“Organisers have effectively ensured adherence to the regulations set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“This has helped keep all those participating in this event safe, and indeed proved instructive, offering lessons, on how the world can deal with any such eventuality in the future.”

Each national day is dedicated to a participating country, with a cultural showcase on offer to guests.

Kenya will also seek to bolster business opportunities and foster partnerships between local and international investors.

Kenyatta added: “Kenya is very keen and strengthen existing relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – and, indeed, with all participants of this expo.

“We seek to harness the opportunities offered by this expo to build new business relationships, new investments, but also to bring tourists to enjoy Kenya and its renowned attractions.”

He continued: “Today, I invite all of you to visit our exhibition, to sample the goods and services on offer, and to participate in the esteemed tourism promotion event we are offering.

“Kenya is becoming a newly-industrialising, middle-income country, providing a high quality of life to all our citizens, as set out in the Kenya 2030 agenda.

“Trade and investment, as well as strong relationships with the private sector, are key to realising this mission.

“It is against this backdrop that we seek to increase trade with the GCC and partners across the Middle East.”

Expo 2020 visitors can today also enjoy a spectacular and colourful live performance of the traditional music and dance of Kenya.

Performed by the celebrated national dance company, the dance troupe will showcase the beauty and diversity of traditional Kenyan music.

Kenyatta concluded: “As a country, we are in a strong position – Kenya is without doubt the largest economy in eastern Africa, it is the business hub for the region, a trade and logistic facility for the surrounding eleven countries.

“Further, Kenya enjoys economic stability, we are a fully-liberalised economy, with a large domestic consumer market, and access to our most important asset, which is a youthful, educated population.

“These attributes have made Kenya the destination of choice for many multi-national companies, and a destination of choice for foreign direct investment in our region.

“In the spirit of our vision for 2030, we are here to promote business-to-business partnerships, and to establish links between public and private sector institutions.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

Travel Sector’s Effect on Economy Could Reach Near Pre-Pandemic Levels, WTTC Says

New research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the global travel & tourism sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach $8.6 trillion this year, just 6.4 percent behind pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, before the pandemic stopped travel in its tracks, the sector generated nearly $9.2 trillion to the global economy; however, in 2020, the pandemic brought the sector to an almost complete standstill, causing a massive 49.1 percent drop, representing a severe loss of nearly $4.5 trillion.

The latest research from WTTC shows that as the world finally begins to recover from pandemic, the sector’s contribution to both the global economy and employment could reach almost pre-pandemic levels this year.

Research by the global tourism body shows that if the vaccine and booster rollout continue at pace this year, and restrictions to international travel are eased around the world throughout the year, the sector could create 58 million jobs in 2022, to reach more than 330 million—just 1 percent below pre-pandemic levels and up 21.5 percent on 2020.

“Over the past two years, the global travel and tourism sector has suffered tremendous losses,” Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, said in a press release. She continued: “As people start traveling again, governments must implement simplified rules, including the use of digital solutions. Travel of the future should be contactless while guaranteeing safety,” she added.

In 2019, the sector generated 10.4 percent of global GDP and more than 330 million jobs. To reach close to pre-pandemic levels this year, WTTC says governments around the world must continue focussing on the vaccine and booster rollout—allowing fully vaccinated travelers to move freely without the need for testing.

The global tourism body also urges governments to ditch the patchwork of restrictions and enable international travel using digital solutions that allow travelers to prove their status in a fast, simple and secure way.

Source: Travel Agent Central

Kenyan tourism begins recovery from pandemic slump as locals fuel travel

(Reuters) – Kenya’s tourism industry has started to pull out of its deep COVID-19-induced slump as local travellers take advantage of lower prices, the government said on Wednesday, but foreign visitor numbers are still well below pre-pandemic levels.

The East African nation expects the sector, typically one of its top sources of foreign exchange, to earn 173 billion shillings ($1.5 billion) this year, up 18.5% from last year, the government said.

“The recovery seems to have begun,” George Gitonga, the acting chief executive of the state-run Tourism Research Institute, told Reuters after the figures were released.

Earnings slumped to 88.6 billion shillings in 2020, officials said, as governments around the world restricted the movement of people, including through the closure of air spaces, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

They bounced back to 146 billion shillings last year, with the number of hotel nights occupied by Kenyan travellers doubling during the period, said Najib Balala, the tourism minister.

Local resorts, which normally concentrate their marketing efforts on foreign tourists, were forced to turn to the domestic market by the pandemic, offering cut rates to entice holidaymakers.

Foreign visitor numbers were still sharply lower than pre-pandemic levels, at just under 870,500 last year against 2 million in 2019. They are forecast to reach 1.03 million this year.

The drop in earnings in the sector from foreign tourists has contributed to a sharp drop in the local currency , which is trading at all-time lows against the dollar.

This year’s forecast for the sector’s performance depends on the continuation of the global campaign to vaccinate people against COVID-19, and sustained marketing into traditional source markets like Britain, and new ones in Asia, Gitonga said.

From safaris in the Maasai Mara and other wildlife reserves to holidays on Indian Ocean beaches, Kenya’s tourism industry contributes about 10% of economic output and employs over 2 million people.

The sector shed nearly 1.2 million jobs after the onset of the pandemic, the tourism ministry said, but it has started to claw back some of those losses on the back of the tentative recovery.

“Most of the jobs have come back from October 2021,” Balala said.

Source: Reuters

Africa must redefine its tourism as it sets post-Covid recovery strategy

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted our societies and economies and continues to reshape the world with the emergence of new variants. The crisis has tipped the scales for the tourism sector in the region, which pre-pandemic, contributed significantly to the bloc’s economic growth.

In 2019, the sector contributed an average of 8.1 per cent to the gross domestic product of East African Community (EAC) partner states and brought about an average increase of 17.2 per cent to total exports.

Tourism plays a catalytic role in the broader economy through direct revenues for airlines, travel agents, hotels, shops, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. It also contributes to indirect economic impact through induced spending in agricultural produce, manufactured goods, transportation, entertainment and handicraft.

Travel restrictions to curb the pandemic saw EAC partner states lose 92 per cent of revenues in tourism. Arrivals dropped from approximately 7 million in 2019 to 2.25 million in 2020 (Sixth EAC Development Strategy).

With Omicron, the latest variant of the coronavirus, prompting fresh border closures, it is about time we started to interrogate the effectiveness of travel restrictions by weighing their disruptive social-economic impact. This seems timely as recent studies suggest that reducing community transmission rates could be more effective in containing the spread of the virus than border closures.

Coordinated response

To trigger travel demand and keep global borders open, we must ensure equitable access to vaccines, coordinate international travel procedures, and embrace technology to authenticate test and vaccination certificates.

Like the rest of the world, the resumption of travel and tourism in Africa will depend largely on a coordinated response among countries regarding travel restrictions, harmonised safety and hygiene protocols, and effective communication to help restore consumer confidence.

We must, however, appreciate that the current global health concerns and barriers to travel may take time to wane. As such, the continent must self-reflect, and promote domestic and intra-continental tourism for a more sustainable recovery.

Africa needs to address critical tourism competitiveness drivers, to foster intra-continental tourism. Top on our agenda should be visa openness.

The Africa Visa Openness Report 2020 findings show that African citizens still need visas to travel to 46 per cent of other African countries, while only 28 per cent can get visas on arrival. These restrictive and cumbersome visa requirements diminish tourists’ motivation to travel and indirectly reduce the availability of critical services. The continent should prioritise ongoing efforts to enhance its visa openness.

Another critical pillar to address is the liberalisation of African skies to improve intra-continental connectivity. Try flying from any East African capital to northern Africa, and you will quickly discover how poorly connected we are as a continent.

A trip that should take no more than five-and-a-half hours in some cases takes an estimated 12 to 25 hours, as one has to take connecting flights via Europe or the Middle East! A direct flight would probably cost an estimated $600; however, you will be lucky to get a flight for less than $850.

The African Union has taken steps to make open skies a reality through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) created to expedite the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision. Once operationalised, greater African connectivity will reduce air travel time and costs, catalysing intra-continental trade and tourism growth.

Early warning

The current Covid-19 crisis and past disease outbreaks have demonstrated Africa’s preparedness to manage pandemics. Early warning systems and continuous investments in public health have seen the continent handle infectious outbreaks relatively better. However, though well-intended, the requirements for testing before departure, confirmatory testing on arrival, and in some cases quarantine, are both costly and inconvenient, hence deterring travel, particularly for leisure purposes.

The African Union-backed PanaBIOS has been critical in disseminating Covid-19 test results on a secure digital platform accessible to all member states. The EAC has also developed an EACPass that integrates and validates EAC partner states’ Covid-19 tests and vaccination certificates to ease entry across the region. Once fully rolled out, the EACPass will be integrated with other regional and continental digital health platforms to enhance transparency and guarantee the authenticity of certificates.

The continent could benefit from investing in targeted and effective tourism promotion campaigns for the African market. The EAC’s recently launched “Tembea Nyumbani” campaign is a key step towards catalysing intra-regional tourism. A similar approach across all regional economic communities could fundamentally transform the continent’s tourism and reduce our reliance on international arrivals, as has happened in Europe over the years, where intra-regional tourists account for 80 per cent of total tourism arrivals.

Finally, allow me to quote an African proverb: “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” For years, international media has created negative perceptions and representations about Africa. Scenes of civil wars, hunger, corruption, greed, diseases, and poverty have defined us. Perhaps it is time to start interrogating our role in their narratives, but even more importantly, define Africa ourselves.

Source: The East African

Holiday bookings take off as pre-departure Covid tests scrapped

Airlines have seen bookings soar after Boris Johnson announced the pre-departure Covid test rule for travellers heading to England was being scrapped.

The change – which was coming into force at 4am on Friday – has handed a major boost to the beleaguered travel industry.

The Prime Minister also announced the requirement for flyers to self-isolate on arrival until they receive a negative PCR test is being dropped.

On Thursday, Jet2holidays and Jet2.com reported a massive surge in bookings since the PM’s statement on Wednesday.

Customers behind a 150 per cent daily spike are said to be planning trips to Spain, the Canaries, the Balearic Islands, Turkey and Greece.

Virgin Atlantic said searches were up 150 per cent week on week, peaking at 8pm on Wednesday, a few hours after Mr Johnson addressed the Commons.

The most popular destinations departing from the UK were Orlando, New York and Barbados, it said.

British Airways said visits to its 2022 holidays website increased by nearly 40 per cent with New York, Dubai and Barbados the most searched.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “The relaxation of travel restrictions is welcome news for both the travel industry and holidaymakers and comes during what is traditionally a very busy period for holiday bookings.

“We have seen an immediate and dramatic spike in bookings, with volumes since the government announcement heading towards pre-pandemic levels, which demonstrates just how much demand is out there amongst people wanting to get away for a much-needed holiday.

“We were already heading into the New Year with a strong feeling of positivity and confidence, and the removal of these restrictions really gets 2022 off to a great start.”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman added: “It’s also important to note that most people were searching for inbound travel to the UK – highlighting we’re open for business and tourists once again.”

In his statement to MPs on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the Omicron variant is now so prevalent in the country that pre-departure tests are having limited impact on the spread of the disease.

Instead, the rules will revert to the system in place in October, with travellers required to take a lateral flow test no later than the end of day two after their arrival.

The measures were originally introduced following the identification of the fast-spreading Omicron variant in South Africa last November.

The announcement – which covers those passengers who are fully vaccinated or are under the age of 18 – has been broadly welcomed by the travel industry, which has been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic.

EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “This will make travel much simpler and easier and means our customers can book and travel with confidence.

“However, the Government must now urgently take the final step towards restriction-free travel and remove the last remaining unnecessary test for vaccinated travellers so flying does not become the preserve of the rich.”

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said: “Although this is welcome news, there is still a long way back for aviation which remains the lifeblood of the UK’s economy, supporting millions of jobs in all four nations.”

NHS lateral flow tests cannot be used for international travel, and the tests must be brought from a private provider.

While those who have already brought PCR tests for travelling needs can still use these.

Source: Evening Standard