The Kenyan tourism industry, and not only the Italian one, looks at January 31st as a possible liberation holiday.
Liberation of taboos that now seem anachronistic, those of still holding their citizens between national borders for who knows what fears and interests.
The beginning of 2022 has confirmed that for the vaccinated (the Italian ones who would like to travel have even the third dose) the Omicron variant is not a big problem and even in Kenya has been experienced as a flu. Even other European countries have been reduced little by little the limitations, so we hope from Rome an awareness of the situation.
Awareness also means to make their own the warning of the tourism associations that, as mentioned by the expert on tourism in Kenya Pasquale Tiritò in this article (CLICK HERE TO READ IT) have pointed out to the Government that the current restrictions that put Kenya in the band E where it is forbidden to go for tourism, in the face of almost zero controls at Italian airports and with Kenya quietly issuing tourist visas to Italian citizens, creates only inconvenience and does not even allow the State to take advantage of the tax return from those who issue regular vacation packages, charter tickets, health insurance and so on.
Last November, with still a tail of uncertainties and with little news on the last variant, one could absurdly understand the decision of the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza, but now a further extension of travel bans beyond the Schengen Europe, would seem even captious.
The political forces at home that listen to the actors of international tourism in Italy are united at this time to encourage negotiations that lead to the reopening. Both the League (which holds the Ministry of Tourism, with Garavaglia) and the Democratic Party are putting pressure on Draghi and Speranza to review the current restrictions.
Certainly, the attention of these days on the election of the President of the Republic does not help, especially if Draghi were the chosen one (quotations are falling, however), but something must be done. Also because, on the Kenyan level, the local tourism associations have realized (what do you know...) that after the Christmas and New Year's hangover with Kenyans and a few international travelers, without repeaters and western charter tourists, the low season has already arrived.
Very low, comments Mohammed Hersi, president of the Kenya Tourist Federation, who has urged dialogue with the World Health Organization (WHO) to revise rules and help revitalize global travel and tourism.
"Travel is not just about leisure tourism, it's also about business and it's time for the world to open up again. Covid-19 should move from a pandemic to an endemic virus to support the world economy."
On the other hand, Kenyan institutions, which have insisted for the last year and a half on promoting local tourism, should get back on track to be competitive on the international market, because they should have understood that local tourism is an excellent source of income, but has narrow windows on the seasons: public holidays and weekends, little more. It would be enough to remember that Italian and international tourism allowed good numbers (and arrival of foreign currency, something that Kenya is sorely lacking, just look at the abyss into which the shilling has fallen) from November to Easter, with an excellent August.
Without thinking that we are between the frying pan (Kenya) and the fire (Italy), it's time for a reopening and we need common efforts and intentions to go back in time, at least two years, which nowadays would mean moving forward.