Hoteliers: Bamburi gang attacks could affect Tourism at the Coast

By Samson Oyugi

Hoteliers at the coast region have condemned the recent Bamburi gang attack by the outlawed _WakaliKwanza_ gang.

They are worried that the attacks in Bamburi, Mombasa might have a negative  impact on the region’s all important tourism industry especially now at the onset of peak season.

Led by the  Coast Hospitality Working Group Chairman Mr. Hasnain Noorani, hoteliers now say they are not ready to see this group disrupt businesses in Mombasa particularly at this time when they are receiving good number of bookings from Western countries’ holiday makers.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous attacks in Bamburi. We unequivocally condemn all acts, methods and practices of the attack, which cannot be justified under any circumstances, regardless of their motivation, wherever and by whomsoever committed these crimes,” said Hasnain Noorani.

The Hotelier have in the meantime called for launch of a coordinated security campaign, involving all national and local agencies to crack down on the illegal gang which is reportedly responsible for the attack.

“We condemn the incident that has taken place in Bamburi and we would like also to commend the security agencies for what they are doing. We are all looking to work together with the government and see a total state of normalcy,” added Mr. Noorani.

Domestic terrorism creates a feeling of vulnerability in the region where the attacks are recurrent causing a broader economic impact.

“This sense of vulnerability is particularly damaging to the travel and hospitality industry because holiday makers always have a choice of visiting destinations which are less terror prone,” added Noorani.