Challenges to Kenyan tourism since 2008: crisis management from the Kenyan tour operator perspective

Tourism in Kenya has been affected by a number of crises in the recent years, the most serious of which was the unrest following the disputed elections at the end of December 2007. The instability had a disastrous effect on international tourism arrivals in 2008 and it took around three years for the numbers to return to 2007 levels. This research investigates the management of the post-crisis recovery of the tourism sector from the perspective of Kenyan tour operators, using data collected during interviews in Nairobi in early 2011. Findings suggest that the measures taken to assist recovery were not perceived to be as effective as they might have been, and opportunities to strengthen the tourism sector were missed. The threat to the natural environment can be considered a slowly developing crisis, and minimising the pressures from tourism is identified as a major challenge, as is keeping the destination safe. It is concluded that a national crisis management structure led from the top is essential, and the involvement of the East African Community in some type of a crisis management role is unlikely for some time.