STORY BY: ALBERT BWANA

Kenya Tourism Federation welcomes lifting of the FCO Travel Advisory on the Kenyan Coast

The Kenya Tourism Federation welcomes the updated FCO Travel Advice for Kenya, which has removed the advice against ”all but essential travel” to parts of the Coast. 

KTF specifically wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the British High Commissioner, Dr, Christian Turner, for taking time to visit, first the Maasai Mara and then Coast to engage with the various stakeholders.  

The amendment of the FCO Advisory comes as a most welcome relief for Coastal tourism and is viewed as a direct reflection of the gains made to improve the safety and security in that region.  

The amended Advisory lifts earlier restrictions on travel to the city of Mombasa and its environs and through Moi International Airport all the way to the other major coastal towns of Malindi, Kilifi and Watamu.

This much awaited Update should not, however, cause the stakeholders at the Coast to rest on their laurels.  There is still need to remain just as vigilant as ever in order to safeguard the gains made.   The safety of our visitors remains a paramount concern and KTF urges stakeholders to jealously protect the tourism product at all levels.

We would like to convey the sector’s, appreciation to each and every one within and out of the tourism sector, who has over the last 19 months engaged different offices on the Travel Advisory issue.

We have all played a key role within and outside our borders, to inform, advice, debate, challenge and convince different offices, high commissions and embassies on the damage that the advisories have on the economy and livelihood of the Kenyan people.

The relaxing of the advisory by our friends the British, is a huge pat on the back for the collective efforts done by ALL OF YOU!

We are also very grateful to the Government of Kenya for the allocation of Kshs 5.2 billion specifically for tourism recovery. This is the biggest allocation that has ever been given to tourism. It is a clear indication that the Government now appreciates the impact of the downturn of the sector on the entire economy.

As the private sector in tourism it is our prayer that the monies allocated by the Government for tourism recovery, be used for just that and we pick the low hanging fruit that will hasten recovery of the destination.

These include:-

·         An immediate sales and advertising blitz in the key tourist source markets.

·         Marketing support to both Scheduled and Charter airlines flying into Jomo Kenyatta and Mombasa International Airports.

·         Deliberate effort to strengthen the Tourist Police Unit by

-         Employing more officers

-         Providing them with more equipment – vehicles, etc

-         Training of the officers – Private sector is willing to partner on this.

KTF manages the only Safety and Security Centre in East Africa that is geared towards monitoring the situation on the ground and informing the tourism private sector of prevailing conditions within the tourism circuits.   This ensures that operators are able to be fully informed as they go about their safaris.

We further take this opportunity to call upon our other source market Governments who had earlier issued Travel Advisories against parts of the Kenya Coast to follow the sterling example of the UK Government and ease these advisories.