Kenya’s tourism and hospitality industry players have warned that increasing park entry fees by huge margins will hurt the country and make it lose to its competitors.
Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) proposes to raise park fees, which will see entry charges for some park triple.
It said the review is aimed at raising more funds for conservation.
Park fees for the world famous Maasai Mara will double from $100 (Sh14,385 )to $200 (Sh28,770).
KWS plans to more than triple park entry fees to Sh2,000 from January 2024, from Sh430 for Nairobi National Park.
Adults from the rest of Africa, as well as those from international destinations, will part with $50 (Sh7,192) and $100 (Sh 14,385) respectively, during the high season.
Visitors will part with at least $100 to access Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, while entry fee to Tsavo is meant to jump to $80 (Sh11,508) from $52 (Sh7,192), if proposals by KWS are adopted.
KWA also intends to make adjustments on charges at other instalments, including marine parks.
According to KWS, the proposed adjustments are a result of an analysis of feedback gathered during forums conducted between January 30, and February 23, 2023.
Camping, conference facilities and vehicle entering the parks are also targeted
The proposal has however been negatively received by industry players who now say Kenya could lose to Tanzania and other African destinations which offer similar products.
Four out of seven of Africa’s top Safari destinations, among them Kenya offer beach and safari packages.
Kenya's main competitors are Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.
Tanzania's charges are currently the $100 a day mark while South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia range between $20 to $30 a day
According to Pollmans Tours and Safaris Group Director of Operations, Mohamed Hersi the park entry fee review will also affect Tembea Kenya campaign, which is aimed at promoting domestic tourism.
“We are not against park fees increase but doubling park fees for the Mara from $100 to $200 will certainly outprice ourselves,” Hersi said, even as he acknowledged the costs that come with conservation.
He said for the wildebeest migration in the Mara, Kenya could lose to Serengeti in Tanzania, hence the need to for KWS to carefully make a good decision on how it chooses to hike rates.
Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC) termed the plan as a “wrong move and wrong timing.”
This is on the back of reduced disposable incomes in the wake of tough economic times, which has made it difficult to spent on leisure.
“This move will suffocate tourism earnings in the long run. Post covid, the government should have allocated more for conservation and only consider reviewing rates after significant recovery is attained,” KAHC told the Star.
KAHC chief executive Mike Macharia said sector players are engaging both KWS and Narok County government on the best way forward.
“ Please let us revert after we finalise the consultations. Thanks,” Macharia told the Star.
The Tourism Research Institute has projected international arrivals will hit a record 2.3 million this year, with an estimated revenue of Sh425.4 billion, up from Sh268.1 billion.
The highest number of arrivals Kenya has ever received was 2,048,834 in 2019.
