Tour operators have applauded the government’s introduction of Tourism Service Vehicle (TSV) stickers to distinguish tour vans from Public Service Vehicles such as matatus and buses.

For years, tour operators have been lobbying for the introduction of TSV stickers in a bid to regulate the sub-sector.

Although tour vehicles are supposed to offer services to tourists – those going on safari or visiting various parts of the country – they had been categorised as public service vehicles.

As a result, illegal tour operators took advantage of the lack of distinction between tour vehicles and matatus and used the public vehicles to transport tourists to national parks and game reserves.

The use of matatus for safari negatively affected standards as the public vehicles were not specially modified for game drives.

Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast Branch Chairperson, Monika Solanki, said the introduction of the TSV stickers would bring sanity to the tour offering. “The tour vans are specially made vehicles for safari so that holidaymakers can travel in comfort as well as have ample space for game viewing in the parks.”

Southern Sky Safaris Managing Director, Philemon Mwavala, said the introduction of TSV stickers was a step in the right direction as it would keep out illegal tour activities. He noted that the move would also ensure that registered tour firms avoided unfair competition from illegal tour firms that were not legally recognised.