Hesitant Travelers

Since the Kenyan incursion into Somalia in pursuit of the Al Shabaab militants who have, in the recent past, targeted some tourists in Lamu – killing one and abducting two; there has been a climate of uncertainty among the tourists that had done prior bookings for safaris in the winter. This uncertainty, which has actually crystallized with the American government travel advisories, has sent jitters down the spines of Kenyan Tour Operators as they envisage losses that might result out of a long drawn military expedition. In response to queries about the safety of travelers to Kenya, the operators assure the inbound tourists that there is more security on the ground thus offering their clients a much safer environment than before. Travelers to Kenya have, however, been more hesitant about booking their trips early. Instead most of them have developed a “wait-and-see” attitude despite assurances about their safety.

Beefed Up Security in Kenya

For the last couple of months security has been improved across the entire country with more emphasis on tourist resorts. Tourism brings in a substantial portion of Kenya’s GDP, also employing a large section of the work force. The threat of attacks on this lucrative economic activity has not been taken lightly by the Kenyan Government and this has brought about the military offensive whose main aim is to clear the presence of Al Shabaab from areas close to the Somali-Kenya border; ensuring long term safety for the Kenyan tourist.