Terror attacks and violent crime mean many nations have warned citizens not to visit Kenya. This week on Leaders of Travel, I speak to the country’s tourism chief to find out if it’s now safe.
This week we’re talking Africa – a continent that I’ve got to admit, I haven’t been to much. And in particular, it’s all about Kenya on this episode, which I haven’t been to at all.
Now, you might remember that horrible terrorist attack in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in 2013 when the al-Shabaab militant group killed more than 60 people in the Westgate shopping mall. That was the highest profile of a series of attacks in the African nation that prompted many countries around the world to issue travel warnings.
The US and the UK and some other countries have just recently lifted those warnings – but it’s hit the country’s tourism industry hard.
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism in Kenya is Phyllis Kandie – she’s essentially in charge of tourism policy for the Kenyan government. Rather than focus on the negatives, she’s trying to push the positives… not surprisingly.
So, she’s talking up things like the beaches, the safaris, the adventure tourism – and even an opportunity to train with the country’s famous marathon runners.
It all sounds great but she might have a tough job ahead of her, if perceptions are anything to go by.
Let’s find out what the situation is like at the moment.
I’ll be back next week on the hunt for the Holy Grail. And that’s not some kind of nice expression. We’ll really be hunting for the Holy Grail… whatever it is.
Until then, my name is Michael Turtle from the travel blog Time Travel Turtle, and you’ve been listening to Leaders of Travel.
Yes i remember those times..very trying for many especially us who are in the tourism industry. But things have turned for the better now.