magicnewskenya

Tourism stakeholders have raised concern over recent changes introduced by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to the payment system for national park fees, saying the new platform has created financial and operational challenges for tour operators, travel agents, and visitors. According to KTF, the new KWS payment portal only allows transactions through M-Pesa and Visa cards, with bank transfer options completely withdrawn. In addition, an 8.5 percent processing fee has been introduced for all card payments — a rate that stakeholders say is unusually high compared to other government digital platforms. Industry players warn that the new system is already disrupting park bookings and operations, especially for international travel agents and tour companies that rely on bank transfers for bulk transactions. Some operators have reported delays and cancellations as a result of the restrictive payment options. “The move is not only impractical but also unfair to operators ...

Tourism stakeholders have expressed concern over the government’s decision to raise national park entry fees, warning that the move could undermine Kenya’s competitiveness as a global tourist destination. The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) is expected to address the issue at a press conference on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Stanley Hotel in Nairobi. The federation, which represents key industry players including tour operators, hoteliers, and conservation groups, says the fee hike will likely discourage both domestic and international visitors. “The timing of the increase could not be worse,” said one industry source ahead of the meeting. “The sector is still recovering from economic pressures and declining tourist arrivals, and higher park fees will make Kenya less attractive compared to destinations like Tanzania and South Africa.” Kenya’s tourism industry is a key economic driver, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and employment. However, stake...