Stakeholders at the Tourism Summit in Mombasa County have accused hotels in Mombasa of charging high rates during events organised in the county.
The stakeholders who were speaking at State House in Mombasa, said hotels in the county were charging high rates even when they are not fully booked.
Tourism Cabinet Minister Najib Balala who urged hotel managers to make reasonable charges, said it does not make sense for a hotel to charge high rates only to have occupancy of 40 per cent.
The stakeholders at the summit also claimed that Kenya is considered as an expensive destination compared to other countries in the region.
Mr Balala however said that the low charges on hotels will attract more visitors into the country, adding that the country is striving to improve tourism so as to earn more from the industry.
The stakeholders also criticized Kenya Airways saying it has been charging high fares and visitors have been complaining of frequent delays, a situation which they say is hurting tourism in the county.
The chairman of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers, Jaideep Vohra, urged Kenya Airways to address the frequent problems it faces to ensure more tourists come to Kenya.
“KQ should wake up. The issue of delays must be addressed. Our hotel beds are empty and Kenya Airways does not support us,” said Vohra.