By Doreen Wainainah
Concerns about high pricing and bad environmental practices have hit Kenya’s tourism competitiveness ranking for 2019, a new report shows.
Kenya slipped two spots to 82nd position compared to the previous year, according to a Tourism Travel Competitiveness survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The country was early this year in the spotlight after a recurrent outbreak of cholera killed six people, none of them tourists — prompting the government to raise an alert in five counties — Narok, Kajiado, Nairobi, Garissa, and Machakos — besides slapping a ban on roadside eateries.
Several restaurants including, outdoor catering service firms and a hospital were affected by the disease, which is spread by ingesting contaminated food, causing acute complications that can kill within hours if not treated.
Nairobi also reported an outbreak of cholera in 2017 with at least four people killed and dozens more treated, causing authorities to shut down some restaurants.
Apart from concerns about hygiene, Nairobi has been steadily climbing as one of the most expensive destinations in the world over the years.
