FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DECLINE OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS’ ARRIVALS IN KENYA
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing the decline of international tourists’ arrivals in Kenya. The specific objectives include: to establish the extent to which security influences the decline of international tourists’ arrivals in Kenya; to determine if infrastructure affects the decline of international tourists’ arrivals in Kenya; to evaluate if visa fees influences the decline of international tourists’ arrivals in Kenya and; to establish whether marketing by the Government of Kenya influences international tourists’ arrivals in Kenya. This study was conducted on members of Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO). The study used survey research. It utilized stratified random sampling technique and questionnaires to get information from the population. The study utilize questionnaires to gather information from the respondents. 92 filled in and returned the questionnaires giving a response rate of 76%. International tourist concern when visiting Kenya shows that 88% are concern about terrorism. Results show that 69% of tour operators are concern about terrorism, 23% are concern about robbery. The perception of security by international tourist show that 39% of the respondents indicate that international tourist perception on security is real, 29% think that it may be real, 27% believe to be exaggerated. Opinion of tourist on Visa Fee from source market shows that 39% noted that Visa Fee are affordable, 35% noted to be high, 21% noted that it is similar to other countries. Quality of hotels and tourist centers shows that 96% noted that quality of hotels and tourist centers are very important in attracting international tourist while 4% noted to be moderately important. Form of marketing Kenya in source market shows that 77% of the respondents use internet to market Kenya. Kenyan government uses tourism expos with 47% response. What government should do in marketing Kenya show that creation of awareness in source market with 50% responses noted that the government should continue creating awareness to tourist in the source market. The study recommends that security issues for international tourist should be taken seriously by all stakeholders. The study also recommends that the government should continue reviewing Visa Fee on a periodic phases such that on low seasons, the government should subsidize Visa Fee to maintain the level of tourist and on pick seasons to revise it to boost revenue collection. The private sector and the government should maintain international standards of hotels and tourist centers. The government should improve road network in the country more so in the tourist centers and sites.
Key Words: International Tourists, Arrivals
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Adejoh, M A and A AFada (2014), ‘Evaluating the impact of Boko Haram terrorism on Yankari Game Reserve as a resort in Bauchi State Nigeria’, IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19(2), 57 – 61.
Akama, J. S. &Kieti, D. (2007). Tourism and socio-economic development in developing countries: A case study of Mombasa Resort in Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 15(6): 735-748
Ashworth, G. & Goodall, B. (2012).Marketing tourism places, volume 2. New York, NY: Rutledge Publishers
Blijj, Peter O., & Nijman, Jan (2010). The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography (5th ed.) New Jersey: Wiley Publishing
Brennan, James (2008). Lowering the Sultan’s Flag: Sovereignty and Colonization in Coastal Kenya, Comparative Studies in Society and History. London: Cambridge University Press
Brown, S. (2003). Expanding Volunteer vacation participation: an explanatory study on the minimission concept, Tourism Recreation Research, 28 (3), pp. 73-82. Kenya tourism board, (2014)
Culiuc, A. (2014). Determinants of International Tourism. Washington DC: International Monetary Fund.
Eagles P., McCool S., (2002), Tourism in National Parks and Protected Areas: Planning and Management, (New York: CABI Publishing).
Europa. (2013). Transport Infrastructure. Delegation of European Union to Kenya. Retrieved from http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kenya/eu_kenya/tech_financial_cooperation/ transports/index_en.htm. Retrieved on April 15th 2015
Fisher, Laing and Soekel (2008). Ethnography Step by Step: Applied Social Research Methods Series, Vol. 17 Sage Publications Inc. London
Gartner and Tasci, (2010) W.C and Tasci, A.D.A (2007). Destination image and its functional relationship. Journal of Travel Research 45, 413-425.
Glaesser, D. (2007). Crisis Management in the Tourism Industry (Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann).
Government of Kenya (2013). Economic Survey. The Government Printer
Gunn C.A.,Var T., (2002), Tourism Planning: Basics, Concepts and Cases, 4th edn (UK: Routledge)
Ikiara, J.and Koech C.(2002). Impact of tourism on environment in Kenya. Nairobi: Kenya
Jaggar, A. M. (2008). Introduction: The project of feminist methodology. In A. M. Jaggar (Ed.), Just methods: An interdisciplinary feminist reader (pp. vii-xi). Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers.
Johanna, Bockman (2011). Markets in the name of Socialism: The Left – wings of Neo – Liberalism. Stanford: Stanford University Press
Justin. W, (2014). Australian tourism industry submission to joint review of border fees, charges and taxes.
Kareithi S. (2003). Coping with tourism: Examples from Communities in Kenya. Pro – poor tourism working paper No. 13. www. Propoortourism.org.uk/13_kenya. Retrieved on April 3rd 2015
KATO. (2010). Kenya Hotel Directory. Nairobi: KATO
Kenya Tourism Board. (2012). Kenya Hotel Directory. Nairobi: KTB
Kenya Wildlife Service. (2012). Kenya Hotel Directory. Nairobi: KWS
Kenya, Ministry of Finance. (2012). Aid effectiveness Kenya: Crisis management committee. Retrieved fromhttp://www.aideffectiveness.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content &view =article & id=5&Itemid=42. Retrieved on May 10th 2015
Kenya, Ministry of Tourism.(2008). Strategic plan 2008–2012. Retrieved from http://www.tourism.go.ke/ministry.nsf/doc/STRATEGIC_PLAN_2008%20-%202012. pdf/$file/STRATEGIC_PLAN_2008%20-%202012. Retrieved on May 14th 2015
Kibuye. J.W. (2008). An Assessment of Hotel Product Quality in Kenya as a Basis for Building Destination Competitiveness. A thesis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management in the Faculty of Management at the University of Johannesburg
Kimuyu. J. (2009). Factors affecting international tourist arrivals in Kenya. A Research Project submitted to the School of Economics, University of Nairobi, Pursuant to the requirements of the Degree of Masters of Arts in Economics, September 2009.
Kiprutto, N., Akama, J. and Sitati, N. (2007). ‘Marketing of the North Rift region as a Tourist Destination in Kenya’, Masters Thesis. Department of Tourism and Tour Operations Management, Moi University, Kenya
KNBS. (2013). Economic Survey of Kenya 2013 Highlights. Nairobi: KNBS.
KNBS. (2014). Economic Survey of Kenya 2014 Highlights. Nairobi: KNBS.
Kuto, Benjamin and Groves, James (2004). The Effect of Terrorism: Evaluating Kenya’s Tourism Crisis. University of Missouri Columbia.
Lazier, William & Jim Collins (1992). Beyond Entrepreneurship: Turning your business into an enduring great Company. New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Mansfeld, Y., & Pizam, P. (2006). Tourism, security & safety: From theory to practice.Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Maupeu, H. (2008). Revisiting post-election violence. In: Lafargue, J. (Ed.). The general elections in Kenya, 2007. (pp. 187-223). Dar es Salaam: Mkukina Nyota Publishers Ltd.
Mayaka, M.A. &Prasad, H. (2012). Tourism in Kenya: An analysis of strategic issues and challenges. Tourism Management 1(1): 48-56
McKelvie, J. (2009). Travel and tourism: Kenya. London: Mintel Group Ltd
Moore B. (2010).So long, insecurity: You have been a bad friend to us. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers Inc
Morgan, D. (2007). 2 Women killed in U.S. Embassy carjacking. CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-women-killed-in-us-embassy-carjacking/. Retrieved on March 23rd 2015
Morrison, A. M. (2013). Destination positioning and branding: Still on the slow boat to China. Tourism Tribune, 28(2), 6-9.
Morrison, M. A. (2013).Marketing and managing tourism destinations. NY: Routledge Publishers
Mugenda, O.M., & Mugenda, A.G. (2002). Research Methods: Quantative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: ACTS Press
Mulupi, D. (2010). The state of Kenya tourism industry. Retrieved from http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/the-state-of-kenyas-tourism-industry/1297/
Ngugi, B. (2012). The economic cost of Kenya’s insecurity. Inter Press Service News Agency. Retrieved from http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/12/the-economic-cost-of-kenyas-insecurity/. Retrieved on May 20th 2015
Ngugi, K. W. L (2014). An analysis of international tourism demand for Kenya. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business (Management Science) of Kenyatta University, May, 2014.
Njuguna, J. (2012).An assessment of Public Relations in the Hotel Industry in Kenya: A case study of Nairobi’s Five Star Hotels. University of Nairobi.
Nkonoki. S. (2012). Challenges of Tour Operators Case: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Science
Nyariki, E. (2013).Kenya challenged to reinvent tourism marketing strategies. Retrieved from http://sleepout.com/nomad/kenya-challenged-to-reinvent-tourism-marketing-strategies/. Retrieved on May 20th 2015
Ochieng, W. and Maxon, Robert (1992). An Economic History of Kenya. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers
Odendahl, T., & Shaw, A. M. (2002).Interviewing elites. In: J. F. Gubrium& J. A. Holstein (Eds.)
Odote, Martin A. (2008). Sustainable Tourism in Kenya. Kenyatta University.
Odunga, P.O, Belsoy, S.J, Nthinga R,W and Maingi, S.W (2013). Conference tourism in Kenya: Towards Tourism Product development, Diversification and Extension. http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/1463/Maingi,%20S.W.pdf?sequence=1. Retrieved on September 29th 2015
Olivia M. A. O. (2014). Facebook as a marketing tool in the tourism industry: a case study of Kenyan tour operators. United States International University Africa.
Onder, A. O., Candemir, A., & Kumral, N. (2009). An empirical analysis of the determinants of international tourism demand: The case of Izmir. European Planning Studies , 17 (10), 1525-1533.
Ondicho, T. G. (2000). International tourism in Kenya: Development, problems and challenges. EASSRR 16(2): 49-69
Otieno, B. (2013). Kenya: Reduce Visa fees to boost tourism - MP. The STAR. Retrieved from http://allafrica.com/stories/201312310912.html. Retrieved on June 24th 2015
Oxford Learners Dictionary (2014). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pearce, D. G. (1989). International and domestic tourism: Interfaces and issues. GoeJournal9 (3): 257-262
Pflanz, M. (2011). Briton killed and wife kidnapped from Kiwayu Safari Village resort, Kenya. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/ africaandindianocean/kenya/8755898/Briton-killed-and-wife-kidnapped-from-Kiwayu-Safari-Village-resort-Kenya.html. Retrieved on May 2nd 2015
Prakash, B.S. (2006). Only an exit visa. New Delhi: Cambridge University Press
Ragui. M. (2013). Challenges Hindering Success of Tour Businesses Owned by Indigenous Entrepreneurs in the Tourism Industry in Kenya. A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Roberts, M. J. (2009). Conflict analysis of the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya. Conflict Recovery 1(1): 1-21
Rubadiri, V. (2012). Kenya reaps more from tourism in 2012. Capital Business. Retrieved from http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2012/04/kenya-to-reap-more-from-tourism-in-2012/
Safari Bookings. (2014). Kenya Tour Operators. Retrieved June 8th, 2015, from Safari Bookings: https://www.safaribookings.com/operators/kenya
Saren M. (2012). Critical marketing: Defining the field. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.
Shambi, Juliet (2011). Analysis of and Recommendations for Kenya’s Tourism Sector. Diploma: Project
Sharpley R. (2012). Tourism development and the environment: Beyond sustainability? Oxford: Earthscan Publishers
Shaughnessy, J. and Zechmeister, E. Jeanne (2011). Research Methods in Psychology (9th edition). NY: Mc Graw Hill
Shepard, W. (2010). Tourist Visa fees on the rise. Vagabound Journey. Retrieved from http://www.vagabondjourney.com/tourist-visa-fees-on-the-rise/
Sinclair, Z. (2008). New Visa fees to discourage visitors to UAE: residents. Khaleej Times. Retrieved from http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/ 2008/June/theuae_June332.xml§ion=theuae. Retrieved on July 5th 2015
Sindiga, I. (1999). Wildlife-based tourism in Kenya: land-use conflicts and government compensation policies over protected areas. The Journal of Tourism Studies 6(2): 45-55
Songa H., Gartnerb W.C., & Tascic A. (2012). Visa restrictions and their adverse economic and marketing implications – Evidence from China. Tourism Management, 33(2), 397-412.
Sudman, S. (1976).Applied sampling. New York, NY: Academic Press
The American Heritage New dictionary of Cultural Literacy (3rd edition) (2005)
United Nations World Tourism Oragization (UNWTO) (2006). International Tourist Arrival Tourism Market Trends, 2006 Edition: Annex Madrid: UNWTO
UNTWO & ILO. (2013). Economic Crisis, International Tourism Decline and its Impact on the Poor. Madrid: World Tourism Organization.
UNTWO. (2014). Tourism Barometer. Madrid: UNTWO.
Wanjiru, (2012). An analysis of international tourism demand for Kenya. PhD thesis, Kenyatta University.
Western, D. (1992). Planning and management for optimal visitor capacity. In: C.G. Gakahu (Ed.), Tourist attitudes and use impacts in Maasai Mara National Reserve. (pp. 66-75). Nairobi: Wildlife Conservation International
White, J., & Dozier, D. (1992). Public Relations and Management Decision Making. New Jersey: Hillsdale
Wilcox, L.D., & Cameron, T.G. (2008). Public Relations: Strategies and Tactics (9th edition). New Jersey: Allyn & Bacon
World Bank. (2013). International Tourism, number of arrivals.The World Bank: Working for a world free poverty. Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL. Retrieved on June 4th 2015
World Travel &Tourism Council (2012). Travel and tourism economic impact, Kenya. London: World Travel and Tourism council.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v2i2.206
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
PAST ISSUES:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.