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Park fees going down?

Ukunda, Coast, Kenya
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Park fees going down?
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This story is just breaking but it looks like Kenya is reversing its decision to charge VAT on park fees, as well as making some other price concessions to lure back tourists.

The speech by President Kenyatta:

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000122175/uhuru-reduces-park-fees-to-energise-tourism-industry

uk
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1. Re: Park fees going down?
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its a step in the right direction altho a little late

should have happened months ago

as fir 25000 kenyans having a holiday at there companies expence "realy"

another idea might be for kq to start doing package holidays in conjuction with the hoteliers. fill the planes and hotels its a thought at least

Mtwapa, Kenya
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for Barcelona, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bamburi, Mtwapa
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Don't know what I'd going on on TA but I posted the link to the speech an hour or more so and it had two comments but now it has disappeared

Mtwapa, Kenya
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Very strange. It is still there on my profile

Nairobi, Kenya
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Frankly, I'm delighted to see this but I really doubt that it will have a great affect on tourism, because people are already scared off.

uk
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been having probs for 2 days paul your not alone

Colchester, United...
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What about the entrance/exit visas? Perhaps that would also help.

Been to Kenya twice before, one time to get married, with this situation going on I feel for everyone. Surely Kenya must really rely on its Tourist trade, the first thing the Hotels do when they hit the skids is make all there staff redundant, so sad.

To be honest, at the moment there is threats of terrorism in a lot of holiday destinations including Egypt and Thailand.. all my favourite destinations!

However come next year when i'm looking for a holiday, the first place I would consider is Kenya.. always the top of my list.

:)

Ukunda, Coast, Kenya
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Further clarification: the park fee reduction takes effect June 12 at the $90/day parks.

“To further encourage local guests in our National Parks and attract both regional and international tourists, all park fees currently set at USD90 per non-resident and Shs1,200 per resident guest shall be reduced to USD.80 and Sh1,000, respectively, effective June 12.”

Make sure you aren't overcharged I guess.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-168350/uhuru-new-measures-promote-kenyas-domestic-tourism

Boston...
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WOW!!!!! Ten bucks off - I'm going to book my flight to Kenya right now. It's difficult to know if these people are completely clueless or so stupid or even arrogant as to believe that this would actually incent anyone who was concerned about the security situation to visit. Lower the park fees, lower the VAT and camp operators roll back prices to 2010/2011... If you are charging Tanzania prices don't expect people to come to your country/cams/lodges for a more crowded, more (over) developed (in some locations) and less secure situation.

I am a huge fan of Kenya, have been there many times and would like to return many times more - but the government and tour operators are killing the golden goose.

Edited: 9 years ago
Hexham, United...
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PJT

I agree, chop in half the park fees, waive the visa fees for say 12 months and people will then see a decent saving. They "might" then come back, though security really needs worked on.

You really wonder who is advising these people and if indeed they are serious.

nyc
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From reading the links provided, seems the reductions on park fees put emphasis mostly on residents to encourage them to discover their own country.

Regarding the VAT that was instituted for the '14 season, the gov't put these into effect immediately after the tour outfitters had published their rates, requiring all outfitters (within about 2/weeks) having to redo their pricing, thus doubt the gov't would go back to the former rates prior the VAT increases (believe end-May '13).

I believe the best/easiest thing to do would be to reduce or eliminate the Visa fee for 1/yr as was done when the world economy went into the tank about 4-5/'yrs ago. Would be rather difficult for ground operators to refund or change rates - in other words eliminate/reduce VAT fees just as the 'season' commences - when many foreign visitors have already been quoted and even paid in full. Outfitters unlikely to be able to refund these amounts to incoming travelers.

And while there is mention of a $10 reduction on park fees that arecurrently at $90/day/pp... what about those staying on conservancies where their daily fees are often $100+/pp?

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