Kenya’s Tourism Sector Struggles with High Park Entry Fees
Kenya’s tourism sector players are expressing concerns over the negative impact of recently introduced policies, particularly the higher park entry fees, which they believe are deterring visitors from enjoying the country’s natural attractions.
Hoteliers, tour operators, and lodge owners have criticized the government for not providing enough support to help them recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially for those operating lodges.
The upcoming festive season offers a glimmer of hope for the tourism industry, with expectations of increased bookings for beach packages. However, the lodge business has suffered a decline since the introduction of high entry fees at Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) managed parks earlier this year.
Defending the decision to raise park entry fees, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano cited the high cost of living and management expenses as reasons for the adjustment. She assured stakeholders that the fees could be revised in the future as the situation improves.
Maureen Okore, the Regional Marketing Director of TPS Eastern Africa (Serena) Ltd, noted that beach packages have seen strong demand for the November-December period and early January, in contrast to lodges which have been impacted by the increased entry fees.
“Serena beach hotels have seen a positive trend in bookings, but lodges across the country are facing challenges due to the high entry fees. Many Kenyans are now opting to visit Tanzania, which offers similar ecosystems at more affordable rates,” said Ms. Okore.
Earlier this year, Kenya raised entry fees for popular parks such as Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, with some fees doubling or even more. The substantial increase in fees has led to concerns that Kenya may be pricing itself out of the market, prompting some visitors to explore cheaper alternatives in neighboring countries.
Sam Ikwaye, the Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, highlighted that the steep rise in park entry fees has caused dissatisfaction among visitors, pushing them to seek more cost-effective options elsewhere.
