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
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