Kenya: We’re open for business
Kenya Tourism Board regional marketing manager Betty Ichan has been busy in Australia reassuring the travel industry that the country is doing all it can to ensure the safety of tourists.
The message was reinforced by ambassador Isaiya Kabira from the Kenya High Commission.
Ichan said in the wake of a number of terrorist-related incidents, and numerous travel advisories, security was being strengthened around hotels, museums and other tourist attractions in hotspots Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi.
The police tourist unit has been given extra manpower, while a coordinated rapid response unit will use the resources of various security agencies.
"None of the terrorist attacks has targetted tourists. We are keen to spread the message that it’s business as usual," Ichan said.
Big investments in airport infrastructure and hotels are continuing as Kenya seeks to improve tourist arrival numbers from 1.5 million in 2013. Of these, some 23,500 arrived from Australia, an 11% decrease on the 2012 figure of 26,500.
The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, last month announced a series of initiatives to stimulate the tourism sector including reducing the fees at Kenya’s national parks and also reducing landing fees charged at both Moi International Airport and Malindi Airport.
At the recent KTB Sydney roadshow, the main prizewinner of a safari holiday in Kenya, courtesy of Wildlife Safari, Serena Hotels and Kenya Airways, was Jacqui McAreavey of Excite Holidays.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports