With the withdrawal of a travel advisory for Kenya by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a UK government agency that is responsible for the interests of UK citizens overseas, more British holidaymakers are travelling to the African country.
Tourism in Kenya had suffered badly last summer, but now visitors are returning from all over Europe, and especially from the UK.
According to the FCO, around 203,290 British nationals visited Kenya in 2011, based on Kenya Tourist Board figures. Most visits are trouble-free, and only 94 British nationals required consular assistance in Kenya between April 2011 and March 2012.
Stuart Britton, the managing director of Somak Holidays, a company that operates tours to Kenya, said, ‘It’s a new generation, five-star beach resort and we’re getting superb feedback. Our customers are also pleased with their experiences at the smaller boutique hotels, such as the Tijara Beach and Afrochic.’
However tourists to the country are advised against travelling to within 60kms of the Kenya-Somali border; or to Kiwayu and coastal areas north of Pate Island; to Garissa District; to the Eastleigh area of Nairobi; and to low income areas of Nairobi, where the threat of crime, terror attacks and kidnapping still exists.
The cost of travelling to Kenya is likely to fall with the launch of the Fastjet budget airline, which will be flying to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The national airline, Kenya Airways, is also set to launch its own budget brand, JamboJet, which is expected to commence operations in the second half of the year.
