Operators split on Kenya approach as terrorists strike
Ongoing concerns over security in areas of Kenya have seen a British operator withdraw its clients from the destination as the latest in a string of terrorist attacks rocked the nation, but others insist tourists are not at risk.
On Friday, at least 10 people were killed and many others injured as blasts struck Nairobi’s Gokimba Market.
This latest attack came less than two weeks after explosions at a bus terminal in Mombasa which killed three people, another at a hotel in Nyali and two blasts on passenger buses in the capital which killed four and wounded more than 90.
British operator Thomson is reported to have pulled hundreds of its clients from the destination in response to the chain of attacks as the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised against “all but essential travel” to certain areas.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller service advised travellers to reconsider their need to travel to Nairobi and the Mombasa region, including Diani Beach due to the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping.
“We also continue to strongly advise Australians not to travel to border regions with Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan, because of the extremely dangerous security situation,” it said. “Elsewhere in Kenya we advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution.”
However, Africa specialist Bench International insisted the danger zones are not areas frequented by tourists, particularly those from Australia, and stressed it is "business as usual".
"We haven't had any cancellations to Kenya," general manager Martin Edwards said. "We will, if necessary, try to make alternative arrangements for anyone who wants to vary their travel arrangements but frankly we're not expecting not any cancellations."
"Bench is confident that this is another localised incident that is not aimed at tourists."
In fact, the firm has seen record business to Kenya in recent months which it attributes to its offer of a local destination management company, its own aircraft and its own tethered camps.
However, overall tourist arrivals to the country fell to 1.4 million last year from 1.7 million in 2012. With tourism the nation’s second-biggest source of foreign exchange, any further deterrent to visitors is considered disastrous for the national economy.
Just last week, the Kenyan Government had attempted to reassure visitors to the country by highlighting “specific and robust” measures in place to protect tourists.
“We have a dedicated police unit—Tourism Police Department—that deals exclusively with security in or as it relates to the tourism sector," it said in a statement.
"The government has revamped the Tourism Police Unit both in terms of personnel and tools of work to ensure that the unit is up to the task of managing and dealing with emerging security challenges.
“The government has also taken stringent security measures to ensure that the country’s borders are safe and secure so as to stop members of terrorist groups from gaining entry.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
africa kenya mombasa nairobi smartraveller terrorism wholesalersLatest News
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