FILE PHOTO | NMG 

For many years, Kenya's tourism industry has relied on foreign travellers, offering only beach and Safari experiences to grow its revenues.

This period provides a valuable benchmark on how reliance on the international market can bring an industry to a halt, and it should start conversations on future tourism decisions.

Travel experiences are related to perceptions of risk, so even when international flights resume, many older people will still experience travel anxiety.

It is important, therefore, that hoteliers consider reducing prices for domestic travellers in the initial stages, and also come to terms with the reality that this will not taint their international appeal.

Tourism contributes 10 percent of the annual economic output and employs over two million people, therefore it must remain innovative to be profitable and sustainable.