Operators rally round as Kenya calls for support
Kenya is calling on the support of the travel industry and holidaymakers following the attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi last weekend which killed more than 70 people.
It said security has been tightened across the country and a full forensic investigation into the attack is underway.
Operators have rallied around the destination, claiming they have not had any cancellations.
Robert Ferguson, director of Real Africa, said: "None of our clients have cancelled their safaris. Those already in Kenya were contacted by our local staff and were happy to continue and those due to depart were contacted by our UK staff and all left on schedule.
"We rarely have clients overnighting in Nairobi and know it is important to keep clients informed, with the aid of the FCO Travel advice."
Ben Morison, managing director of Imagine Africa, said: "The response by our customers was overwhelmingly understanding, and I am pleased to report that to date we have not had a single cancellation, and indeed, in the past week have confirmed several holidays to Kenya by both families and couples alike."
Ash Sofat, chief executive of Somak Holidays, added: "We have customers on safari, and we have contacted them to inform them about the incident. It won’t affect their holiday plans and they are all staying on."
Arno Delport, sales and marketing manager at Acacia Africa, said: "No cancellations have been received following the Westgate incident last week, indeed we have taken new confirmed bookings for Kenya since the incident ended.
"All of our tours starting or ending in Nairobi are operating normally, and a member of our senior management team will be attending the ‘Magical Kenya Travel Expo’ in Nairobi in mid October. We will have our usual meetings with suppliers and contractors whilst there."
Two key travel industry events – The Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) and African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) – have both successfully taken place as planned this week.
Kenya will host the World Travel Awards (WTA) and the Magical Kenya Travel Expo next month.
Meanwhile, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai expressed his organisation’s deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
He said Kenya is a leading tourism destination whose tourism sector has previously shown extraordinary resilience and he called for support on the international community.
See comment on whether Kenya can protect tourists and tourism.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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