
Rethinking Tourism During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Successes of Local and “Work from Anywhere” Tourism in Coastal Kenya
Tourism plays a significant role in the economies of various African countries. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has had a devastating impact on the industry’s viability. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have prompted the industry to revamp local tourism, and the transition to remote work in the pandemic era may provide an additional source of tourists. This paper examines the prospects of Kenyan coastal tourism in 2021. It concludes that the achievements of some Kenyan coastal tourism businesses – serving long-term, remote visitors and locals – may facilitate the economic recovery of Kenya’s coastal tourism in this mid-pandemic phase.