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SURCHARGE: Kenyans visiting various tourism establishments during the Christmas holidays were shocked to be charged fees to access the facilities, a move they said was counter-productive to encouraging local tourism.

A number turned away, unaware that this was the practice during peak seasons to dissuade idling revelers who were deemed to disturb the peace of residing visitors who had paid a premium for accommodation. Some hotels were demanding the holiday makers to either reserve accommodation, or pay an entry fee which would be redeemable for meals.

“What’s going on with hotels charging fees at the gate even before one is able to access the hotel. Are they discouraging local tourists or what,” wondered Naisiae Ndungu, commenting on the popular Wonderlust Diaries Ltd, a social media group of travel enthusiasts with over 300,000 members.

Ndungu complained that the establishment she visited over the holidays was demanding a non-refundable Sh3,000 per car at the entrance, even though this had not been communicated to them on the hotel’s website, adding that they were restricted from touring around the facility unless they were residents.

Another frustrated traveller who was asked to pay an entry fee of Sh5,000 which would be redeemable for meals asked what if they could not eat the meals, and was told: “We will pack for you to take away.”

Responding to Business Hub’s enquiries, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said it was common for hotels to surcharge their visitors during high seasons in order to control revellers and protect hotel residents.

High season

“It happens mostly during the high season, when hotels are fully booked. Many of the hotels therefore charge extra money to non-residents to reduce the number of non-residents,” said Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

Balala said this often happens between Christmas and New Year when the hotels are fully booked with the gate charges enabling non-resident visitors to enjoy hotel services, mainly swimming pools. 

Views by the CS was echoed by a Leyian Dominic,a member of Wonderlust Diaries who said: “This happens during the high season to minimise walk-ins, especially when the hotel is already full board and those spending have paid premium and would like to minimise crowding. – NoelWandera