World tourism body declares Kenya safe

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has endorsed Kenya as a safe tourist destination and promised to support the tourism sector.

UNWTO, an agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, announced, through its Secretary General Taleb Rifai that UNWTO  and the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism had signed an MOU to promote the sector.

Mr Rifai, who arrived from Madrid, Spain, said that under the agreement,  the  UNWTO would provide the ministry with a crisis management tool kit on responding to tourism-related difficulties. He said travel advisories must only be issued in the event of extreme concern. “Travel advisories must be measured scientifically to address specific areas of concern,” he said.

Rifai paid a courtesy call to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi. East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie, representatives of the private sector, Kenya Tourism Federation officials and Kenya Association of Tour Operators  accompanied him.

After meeting the President, Rifai and Kandie addressed a joint press conference at a Nairobi hotel. Rifai said terror is a global problem that requires all nations to join hands in combating it. “I want to assure you that you are not alone in this, we will support you,” he said.

He called on the international community to give Kenya absolute and unconditional support, adding that the travel advisories issued by certain nations do not augur well for tourism.  The President urged western nations to always consult stakeholders before issuing travel advisories so as to understand the kind of impact of such actions. “Sometimes these advisories are put without much consideration. When you issue advisories you create fear and despondency,” said the President. He thanked UNWTO for its support and said already some East African Community member states have undertaken joint ventures to promote the sector.

At the press conference, Kandie thanked UNWTO boss for rallying the international community behind Kenya during difficult times. She said the Government was alive to the fact that the tourism sector, especially at the coast, was hurting due to the travel advisories. “The Government is rolling out a raft of measures to address these challenges”.