Britain has agreed to abolish travel advisories that it has been imposing on Kenya over the years, pointing out that they are not good for the country’s economy.

The move was reached following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bilateral talks with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on Tuesday.

“What happens when these travel advisories are issued is that there are job losses especially in the tourism sector presenting an opportunity for radicalisation of our young people,” Mr Kenyatta said.

Mr Kenyatta and the British PM also agreed that the two countries would continue to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.

“We would like to partner in combating terrorists. These criminals have continued to cause harm to our people and it is about time we combined forces to fight back,” President Kenyatta said.

Mr Johnson acknowledged that Kenya has borne the brunt of terrorism and there was need to join forces to curb the menace.

He said the British military training outpost in Nanyuki will continue to train Kenyan officers as a way of bolstering the military partnership between the two countries.

UK issued a travel advisory recently to its citizens visiting Kenya, warning that terrorists might try to carry out attacks. The alert followed a terrorist attack on Manda-Magogoni military base used by both US and Kenyan forces on Manda Bay Island in Lamu. The attack by Somalia-based Al Shabaab militants left three Americans – one US military servicemember and two contractors – dead.

The British government advised its citizens to be vigilant when visiting areas frequented by foreigners including hotels, sporting events, shopping centres, coastal areas including beaches, and transport hubs.

UK is the fourth leading source of international tourists to Kenya, last year having contributed to the 3,9 percent growth of tourism earnings which stood at Sh163.6 billion and arrivals remaining above the two-million mark.

ENERGY

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Johnson also discussed partnerships between the two countries in green technology investments, an area the UK has made significant milestones.

British PM said the UK is particularly interested in helping Kenya achieve its objective of attaining 100 percent to green energy sources.

“We are doing well on renewable energy and certainly we would like to partner with you,” said Mr Johnson.

Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/UK-agrees-to-abolish-travel-advisories-against-Kenya/539546-5427046-mw2cqvz/index.html

 

The hustle associated with acquiring a Kenyan passport will soon come to an end after the Ministry of Interior assured Kenyans of quicker services come July, 1, 2020.

Kenyans applying for passports, Identity Cards, birth and death certificates in Nairobi will be issued on the same day. Those applying from outside the capital city will however wait for a while longer.

Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi who was speaking in Mombasa during the recently held National Security and Development Forum assured Kenyans of improved citizen services.

The pilot program is part of a 10-point plan for 2020/ 2021 that will see Kenyans have access to better government services.

This comes as a relief to many Kenyans who will now not have to wait for long to book their travel due to the easily accessible passports.

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) welcomed the move and urged travelers to secure their passports and book their travel through the trusted KATA agents.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through their official twitter handle have provided a safer avenue for the public to report immigration fraud.

They urged the public not to post personal info on self or anyone else on their social media pages but instead to direct the complaints through https://www.uscis.gov/report-fraud

 

The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has welcomed the move by the government to nationalise Kenya Airways (KQ).

KATA Chief Executive Ms. Agnes Mucuha said that the national carrier has a huge potential to turn around, and urged that their management should focus on extending themselves to their customers, by maximizing the customer’s benefits while taking responsibility for their outcomes.

The Kenyan parliament voted in July, 2019 for the nationalisation of KQ. The airline, which was privatised 23 years ago sunk into debt after incurring losses over the years. The government owns 48.9 percent while Air France- KLM owns 7.8 percent stake of the airline.

“The world today operates in a connection economy, and in the absence of Kenya Airways, travel would become very expensive due to decreased load capacity and increased hub operating costs, hindering the attractiveness of Kenya as a regional aviation hub. Consequently, the Nairobi hub would experience decreased passenger demand for travel, and in the long-run the Nairobi hub would cease being attractive in the region,” Ms. Mucuha stated.

As a strategic partner, she added, KATA welcomed the news of the planned nationalisation of the carrier because Kenya Airways contributes positively to Kenya’s economy and provides job opportunities for many.  Most importantly it has created a market place for the Travel Agents to promote Kenya Airways products and services contributing to the successful growth of their Travel Agencies.

“As Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), we recognize that it requires a different mindset, to turnaround Kenya Airways, and we reaffirm our support to working together, towards helping Kenya Airways leave a better legacy for our future Travel generations.” She further said.

Parliament voted to approve the recommendations by the Transport Committee chaired by Pokot South Legislator David Pkosing to have a holding company with four subsidiaries.

These are the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Airways and an aviation college. The holding company will be exempt from tax for a set period of time.

Many other governments worldwide faced with almost similar situations have stepped in to revive and save their ailing carriers. This is because aviation is a global industry and a key aspect in the generation of revenue for a country.

These airlines have received support from their state governments through a well laid out strategy and funds injected to ensure the revival and sustainable survival of struggling airlines.

For instance, in our neighbouring country Uganda, it took the government’s intervention to bring back the Uganda Airlines after it faced liquidation and closed shop in 2001.

Several attempts to revive the airline through private sector firms failed. However, in March, 2019, the Ugandan Parliament put in motion a request for a supplementary budget of Ush 280 billion to buy new planes, bringing the carrier back in business after 20 years.

In South Africa, the national carrier also had its fair share of challenges running the airline which led to slow economic growth and lack of revenue for the country.

To alleviate the situation, the government issued two billion Rand (USD 136 million) from existing lenders ahead of the business rescue, and another 2 billion rand through the country’s national treasury. The airline was also put under business rescue to avoid being liquidated by creditors.

In Pakistan, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) submitted a 5-year strategic business plan for 2019- 2023. According to Dawn News, the airline’s CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik said they were developing a plan on cost cutting and revenue generation for the revival of the national carrier.

After about nine months on suspension, SA Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona told Fin24 he has “mixed feelings of anger” as he heads back to his old office again next week.

Fin24 reported at the beginning of April 2019 that Ntshona was surprised when he was informed by the board of SAT that they were investigating allegations against him and that he would be placed on precautionary suspension. It was never publicly announced what these allegations were.

Ntshona himself said he was only informed of their nature after some time.

The allegations had been received via SAT’s anonymous tip-offs reporting mechanism and the board felt the precautionary suspension was necessary in order to enable it to conduct a free and fair investigation. Sthembiso Dlamini became the acting CEO.

In mid-December, SAT announced that the investigation cleared Ntshona of all charges and that he would return immediately.

“The Board welcomes back Mr Ntshona and looks forward to continue working with him as we seek to grow tourist arrivals in our sector and to build a stable organisation,” an SAT statement said at the time.

‘This has set us back’. “Many people ask me how I see the period I was suspended. I have mixed emotions of anger. This set us back as a tourism sector and tarnished my reputation. It was unnecessary, but now I to look ahead on the path and see how we can deliver to the country what we promise as SA Tourism,” Ntshona told Fin24 on Monday.

“I look forward to delivering to SA and to the tourism industry. Key for me is to get up to speed with what is going on in the sector as soon as possible.”

His aim is to hit the ground running and spend time speaking to those involved in the tourism industry – both in the public en private sector.

He plans to meet with various tourism bodies and agencies on both a local, provincial and national level. He will also meet with the various airlines to get a sense of their activity levels.

“I want to get up to speed in a couple of weeks and want to hear from the tourism industry itself how they see things and how to get some energy going. This is because the key thing is to pick up momentum and quicken the pace on some important issues to work on so that the tourism industry can continue to contribute to the South African economy,” he said.

In his view the industry is going in the right direction with the changes to the unabridged birth certificate requirement and a pilot project on e-visas.

“I now want to see the impact of these changes on the industry. The world is not standing still, and we have to keep up the pace.”

Asked how he intends to “sell” SA as a tourism destination to the world, Ntshona said it is about “sharpening our communication to the world and making sure we can reflect all that SA has to offer”.

Asked about the negative impact of safety and security incidents, he said these are unfortunate events that happen – as it does all over the world – but that it is about how quickly the industry can react and address it.

“SA offers such a wonderful opportunity and something for everybody, from safaris, beaches, relaxation and culinary experiences. We need a serious re-energising campaign for the industry,” he said.

Our Source: https://www.atqnews.com/ng/sa-tourism-ceo-returns-after-9-month-suspension/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=South+African+Tourism+CEO+Returns+To+His+Post+After+Suspension&utm_campaign=20200121_m156531124_ATQ+New+Edition-334&utm_term=Learn+more

In a statement dated Friday 17, KAA said, “In order to improve passenger experience at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya Airports Authority wishes to notify the general public of the temporary closure of selected traffic lanes at the airport’s main entrance from Saturday 18th January, 2020.”

“This is to facilitate the installation of a new car park management system,” explained the statement.

“The closure has been scheduled during the off-peak hours of 0830HRS to 1300HRS and 2300HRS to 0430HRS so as to minimize the impact on airport operations,” said KAA.

Normal traffic flow is expected to resume by Thursday, 23rd January, 2020. KAA says that during this period, the airport’s Cargo Gate will remain open for 24 hours to ease traffic.

The authority has said it will work closely with the Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) to assist with the management of traffic flow at the airport.

Motorists and passengers are advised to plan accordingly and allow extra time when coming to the airport as delays may be experienced.

Our Source: https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2020/01/kaa-announces-closure-of-section-of-jkia-entrance/

Tourist destinations in the coastal town of Lamu remain safe despite the recent attack, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has said.

KATA Chief Executive Ms Agnes Mucuha reiterated statements by other tourism industry players who maintained that tourist destinations in Lamu are safe.

The Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Mr Mohamed Hersi, in a statement issued last week assured the public that the tourist attraction in Lamu is a small fraction of the entire county which is safe. He added that the areas usually targeted by radicals are small and far from the tourist sites.

He added that the tourist sites in Lamu have always been safe and are accessed through a flight to Manda mainland and across the channel to the island.

On the other hand, Iran through their embassy in Nairobi pledged not to drag Kenya into its wrangles with the US. The head of the political department at the Iranian Department, Mr Tohid Afzali, in a press briefing last week assured the public that Iran will maintain a closer relationship with Kenya.

Tourists and travellers, Ms Mucuha further said, who are planning holidays in the coastal town and any other destination in the country should be assured of their safety as Kenya is a peaceful and safe country.

Travellers are encouraged to book their holidays through KATA certified members, who are professional, accessible and operate under a strict code of conduct.

KATA is working collectively with other industry players for the growth of travel and tourism in the country.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has moved to recruit safety inspectors in an effort to boost compliance with airworthiness standards following a series of mishaps.

The aviation regulator is set to hire 10 top managers to spearhead regular safety audits on air operators in the country.

They include a head of department for aviation safety and security, a manager for personnel licensing, a manager for aerodromes standards, a manager for airworthiness, an airworthiness inspector, a flights operations inspector and a senior aviation security inspector.

The new personnel will slot into the existing teams, according to the notice by KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe.

The announcement follows a series of incidents involving at least three planes, that have prompted investigation by the KCAA.

The mishaps involving especially Wilson Airport-based light aircraft have refocused attention on quality of safety audits even as the aviation regulator blamed laxity on legal protection for operators.

The latest incident on October last year involved Safari Link carrying 10 passengers that veered off the Wilson Airport runway as a result of a defective tyre, leading to the closure of the airport for 30 minutes.

The incident, the third to involve planes that operate from Wilson Airport in three weeks, brought to question the safety of the air transport in the country.

Mr Kibe last year acknowledged that the recent mishaps raise to safety concerns.

“But we have to follow the law … we cannot ground the airline just like that or else we could be sued for wrongful grounding,” said the aviation boss.

Under the Civil Aviation Act, the KCAA is supposed “to manage, regulate and operate a safe, secure and efficient air transport system in Kenya.

Under this mandate the KCAA is supposed to undertake regular inspection to determine compliance with the aviation regulations as well as the operator’s own company approved manuals and procedures.

Our Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/KCAA-to-beef-up-inspection-teams/3946234-5416990-6lfbh9/index.html

Airline operators are dangling ticket price cuts to woo travellers as the low aviation season sets in after December festivities in a move expected to leave a dent on their margins.

 

Four airlines have so far announced discounted airfares as part of the coping mechanism, shining a spotlight on the tightening operating situation.

 

Jambojet, Emirates, Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways have since notified their customers of the intended ticket price cuts for mass bookings, hoping to boost volumes in the lean times.

 

“The high season is over so traffic has reduced. Therefore, discounts are required to attract more travellers,” Kenya Civil Aviation Authority director-general Gilbert Kibe told the Business Daily in an interview yesterday.

 

In the new fares, low-cost carrier Jambojet was the first about 10 days ago to announce that it will sell 10,000 tickets for Sh2,020 to frequent flyers on its domestic routes.

The airline flies to local destinations such as Eldoret, Malindi, Mombasa, Ukunda, and Kisumu from its hub in Nairobi.

 

“Definitely, the airlines must revise their prices downwards to bring on-board more customers this dry season,” said Ken Gichinga, chief economist at Mentoria Economics. “It’s more of a volumes game than margins game,” he noted.

 

The Fly Emirates is also selling tickets at discounted rates of between nine and 29 percent for Nairobi customers on Dubai, London and Beijing routes from January 7.

 

The airline said the discounted tickets must be bought before January 21 to allow customers booking to fly on the routes between January 7 and November 30.

 

Kenya Airways on January 10 told its customers that they would enjoy discounts of up to 25 percent for business and economy class tickets in 50 of its destinations.

 

The announcement, which comes barely a few weeks after the airline issued a profit warning, indicated that for a customer to get the discount, they must book by January 17 for travel by November 30.

 

Qatar Airways was also not left behind with the airline telling its passengers that it would be offering a 35 percent discount on its tickets from January 13 (yesterday) to January 19.

Our Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/Airlines-woo-travellers-with-low-season-fare-discounts/3946234-5416986-cd7qopz/index.html

Aggressive marketing campaign, political stability, investor confidence and a stable security situation in the country are some of the key factors that have boosted the growth of the tourism sector in 2019.

Revenue received from international arrivals have increased to 163.5 billion in 2019 up from the 157.3 billion recorded in 2018, indicating a 3.9 percentage growth.

This is as a result of the 1.167 increase in visitors coming in from 2, 025, 206 in 2018 to 2, 048, 834 in 2019.

This was attributed to global online campaigns on various online platforms including Google, Aljazeera and CNN Online, joint marketing campaigns with travel trade associations, international trade road shows and global travel trade exhibitions.

Locally, domestic campaigns like “TembeaKenyaNaMimi” and a refreshed brand “EmbraceMoreMagic” were also contributing factors to a vibrant year.

An increase in direct flights to various parts of the world was also a contributing aspect to the high number of visitors jetting into the country. A rise in frequency of flights between Paris and Nairobi, direct flights from Doha to Mombasa and the much-celebrated flights from Nairobi to New York City are indicators of growth in the aviation sector.

Kenya is also a country with automation of systems that has made it easy to start a business and together with backing from the government, has become a business hub rising from position 61 to 56 globally on the latest World Bank Ease of Doing Business report.

Kenya still remains a tourism hub and whereas majority of the inbound travellers came to Kenya for holiday and leisure, there was a notable drop from the holiday seekers from 73.9 percent in 2018 to 63.15 in 2010. The number of travellers travelling for business was at 13.5 percent while 10.6 percent came in to visit family and friends and the remaining 12.7 percent visited the country for various other reasons that include education, medical and shopping.

Over 1.4 million guests made their entry through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 128, 222 from the Moi International Airport in Mombasa and the remaining 496, 641 came in through other airports and entry points.

Also notable was the age bracket of travellers with the biggest cluster of travellers being aged between 35 and 44 years and constituting 30 percent of the travellers followed by 25 to 34-year olds at 29 percent.

The 25 to 34-year olds have been known to spend more when they travel, are more independent, adventurous and take longer holidays while the older group have family-oriented travel trends.

Tourist destinations in the coastal town of Lamu remain safe despite the recent terrorist attack, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has said.

KATA Chief Executive Ms Agnes Mucuha stated that the recent attack in Lamu is related to the American’s global politics and is in no way a direct attack on Kenya as a country.

She reiterated statements by other tourism industry players who maintained that tourist destinations in Lamu remain safe.

The Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Mr Mohamed Hersi, in a statement issued last week assured the public that the tourist attraction in Lamu is a small fraction of the entire county which is safe. He added that the areas usually targeted by radicals are small and far from the tourist sites.

He added that the tourist sites in Lamu have always been safe and are accessed through a flight to Manda mainland and across the channel to the island.

On the other hand, Iran through their embassy in Nairobi has already pledged not to drag Kenya into its wrangles with the US. The head of the political department at the Iranian Department, Mr Tohid Afzali, in a press briefing last week assured the public that Iran will maintain a closer relationship with Kenya.

The statement came in the wake of an attack in Lamu in which four terrorists were killed. The Al- Shaabab claimed responsibility for the attack. The Manda Airstrip was closed temporarily after the attack but resumed services shortly thereafter.

The attack was seen as retaliation by Iran on US forces or their bases across the world following the killing of Iran top military general Qasem Soleimani.

“The attacks on an innocent country are quite unfortunate especially where life is lost and property destroyed. These attacks cause panic and disrupt business which is not good for a developing country”, she said.

Tourists and travellers, she further said, who are planning holidays in the coastal town and any other destination in the country should be assured of their safety as Kenya is a peaceful and safe country.

The recent travel advisory issued by the British Government named Garissa, Mandera and Tana River as areas that their citizen need to exercise caution. Areas of caution named did not include safari destinations, beach resorts, Lamu Island and Manda Island.