Coast counties must face the new realities of tourism

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Najib Balala flanked by Principal Secretary Fatma Hirsi and Chairman Kenya Coast Tourism Association Mohamed Hersi (right) presents Rose flowers to Tourists disembarking from a luxurious cruise liner recently. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

The French Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Remi Marechaux, last month warned that his country would continue to issue travel advisories when required and would not rely on local security assurances.

France, he said, would carry out its own assessment of the security situation and act accordingly.   This is the new reality that tourism industry players and the Government will have to grapple with, as they come to terms with the dwindling number of visitors. Tourism industry players have to accept that  global terrorism has changed the rules of the game.