Africa specialists stick by Kenya despite FCO warning
Africa specialist operators say they’ll continue taking holidaymakers to Kenya despite a new warning from the Foreign Office that Mombasa and parts of the coastal area are not safe for British visitors.
While several operators, including Thomson, First Choice, Cosmos and Kuoni, are evacuating all of their customers currently in Kenya, Africa specialists said their own clients had chosen to remain.
Ash Sofat, CEO of Somak, said, ‘We have contacted all our holiday-makers currently enjoying their vacation in Kenya to make them aware of the change in FCO advice for some areas of Mombasa and all have chosen to continue their holidays as planned.
"With all airports, safari circuits and many areas of the coast continuing to operate as normal we expect our customers to continue to travel to Kenya in the coming weeks."
Mainstream tour operators, including Thomson and First Choice, suspended sales of packages to Kenya unit for several weeks after the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to Mombasa Island and parts of the coast line.
Although many of Kenya’s popular beach resorts, including Diani, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi and Lamu are not included in the no-go zone, operators said they had chosen to suspend their entire beach programmes to Kenya because transfers from the airport to the resorts travelled through Mombasa.
Muriithi Ndegwa, MD, Kenya Tourism Board said: "We are indeed disappointed by the FCO’s decision to enforce this advice against non-essential travel to some areas of Mombasa. We will work tirelessly with the British Government to demonstrate the enhanced security in place to ensure the safety of British visitors."
The Foreign Office advice was issued following two explosions in Mombasa causing three deaths. One of the explosions was in a beach bar, although no one was injured in that attack.
Ben Morison, MD of Imagine Africa said: "We have lots of customers due to travel to Kenya in the next few weeks and, as always, many are choosing to combine safari and beach, staying in the coastal areas of Diani and Msambweni.
"We are confident these customers will continue with their plans undeterred, enjoying their holiday to the south coast, where tourism continues to thrive as usual. Consumer demand for Kenya continues and we’ve even taken some new bookings for holidays to Kenya in the coming weeks."
Nigel Vere Nicoll, CEO, The African Travel & Tourism Association said: "There is no doubt this is going to affect tourism for the Mombasa area, however it is incredibly important that tour operators and consumers are aware that the majority of the Kenya coast, as well as all international airports and safari circuits, continue to operate as normal. In particular holiday-makers continue to enjoy the popular resorts of Diani, Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi and Lamu."
The Foreign Office is advising against all non-essential travel to Mombasa island and within 5km of the coast from Mtwapa Creek in the north to Tiwi in the south.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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