Since the terrorist atrocities of September 11, 2001, the global airline industry has been on high alert for further attacks. The fact that, for the first time in history, commercial aircraft were used as weapons of mass destruction has made airlines much more aware of security procedures and above all the safety of its crews and passengers. Consequently, when known associate groups of al-Qaeda were blamed for setting off a car bomb outside the Paradise Hotel in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa the terrorism spotlight became firmly focused on Kenya - the group were also responsible for the unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Arkia Boeing 757-300 charter flight with shoulder-fired missiles as it was departing from Mombasa's Moi International Airport the same day. The car bomb killed at least 13 people, three of them Israeli tourists, and governments throughout the world began to question the safety of travelling to the East African country, warning visitors against travelling to the country. Tourism is a principal pillar of the Kenyan economy but the terrorist concerns in the region resulted in a step decline in visitors. "Unfortunately, the sector has suffered heavily, with heavy losses following travel bans," said the country's president Mwai Kibaki during his recent state visit to the US. However, the introduction of new security measures in recent months has meant that many travel advisories have now been lifted (though not those from the US, which is still concerned at the fact that no one has yet been convicted for the 1998 bombing of its Nairobi Embassy, in which more than 200 died), and the country is trying to return to normality ahead of one of its busiest seasons of the year. The travel advisories resulted in a number of major carriers suspending all services to both Nairobi and Mombasa and tour operators cancelling their extensive holiday schedules for the remainder of the summer and for the last winter season. British Airways suspended all services to Kenya from May 15, only resuming operations on July 2. Isolated terrorist attacks have had a serious impact on the country and according to tourism sources, overreaction by Western European governments has resulted in a number of job losses as visitor numbers have slipped considerably. However, with many foreign airlines reluctant to operate to the East African country, Kenya's own airlines have seen a significant increase in demand. Kenya Airways has reported higher passenger figures on its flights to Amsterdam, London and Rome and new start-up East African Safari Air has become the first independent Kenyan airline to launch long-haul international scheduled services to Europe.
The past year (2003) was expected to break visitor records for Kenya. According to official Kenya Tourist Board figures, visitor numbers from the UK alone were up by 40.1% in January, 60.8% in February, 20.4% in March and 72.3% in April. However, following the Department of Transport's instruction in May that British-registered aircraft could no longer operate to Kenya due to heightened security concerns, visitor numbers fell significantly (down 18.4% in May, 44.3% in June, 33.4% in July and 47.9% in August). The Kenyan tourism market was hit hard by the flight ban. However, the Kenyan Tourist Board and the European Union are now working on a $2 million recovery programme to raise the profile of Kenya as a destination. Although there remains some concern over visitor safety in Kenya, the country is forecasted to be one of the fastest growing destinations for tourist visitors this year and major airlines are increasing capacity on services to Nairobi. British Airways has increased frequencies to Kenya by around a third, Kenya Airways will soon introduce larger Boeing 777 models on its services to Europe, while East African Safari Air has introduced new services to Madrid, increased frequencies to London and is looking at a number of other markets. On the charter side leading tour operator TUI has already confirmed resumption of its London/Gatwick services from this coming winter (2004/2005) and others are expected to follow. Kenya offers visitors an array of opportunities with beach holidays, safaris and eco-tourism options and even short-break business visitors to Nairobi can enjoy there limited free time with a visit to the Nairobi National Park or the nearby Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Museum. However, the majority of visitors to the country will either be interested in relaxing on idyllic beaches or driving around game parks in search for the big cats and Kenya offers some of the most outstanding locations for both.
When Vasco de Gama first landed at Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya in April 1498, during his voyage from Portugal to the Indian peninsula, it represented the arrival of the first European visitor to the African state. Over 500 years later and with the region now stepped in historical significance, it has become recognised as important tourist gateways to Kenya, offering visitors some of the world”s best beaches in a location yet to break away from African traditions. The small town of Malindi is located amid a strip of idyllic luxury tropical beaches offering a variety of resorts and has developed into a quiet relaxing hideaway for many visitors. Just 20 minutes to the south is the sleepy town of Watamu and the renowned Watamu National Park, which has been recognised as one of the top eight beaches in the world due to its amazing coral reef. Watamu is home to a number of wonderful resort hotels including the up market Hemmingways and the Turtle Bay Beach Club, one of the first all-inclusive resorts on this area of the coast. The resort is popular with British visitors, who account for around 80% of its guests and almost half of whom return to the hotel year after year.
With its location on the equator, Kenya is a highly rewarding place to visit with its diverse geography offering a great range of different natural habitats. With world-famous national parks, superb beaches the African country can offer the travel experience for everyone and will now hopefully be able to grow without concerns to visitors safety.