Following the attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday 21st September 2013, a full forensic investigation into this attack is underway.
p>Following the attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday 21st September 2013, a full forensic investigation into this attack is underway.As the country mourns the loss of the victims of this tragic incident His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta has increased security across the country.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has amended the travel advice to include details of the incident but has not changed their level of advice on travel to Kenya.
The UNWTO Secretary General, Taleb Rifai this week extended the organisation?s deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this incident. He reconfirmed Kenya is a leading tourism destination whose tourism sector has previously shown extraordinary resilience and stressed the importance of the international community?s support. Tourism is Kenya?s second largest industry and the UK is the number one market to Kenya.
Robert Ferguson, director of Real Africa said, ?None of our clients have cancelled their safaris. Those already in Kenya were contacted by our local staff and were happy to continue and those due to depart were contacted by our UK staff and all left on schedule. We rarely have clients overnighting in Nairobi and know it is important to keep clients informed, with the aid of the FCO Travel advice.?
Ben Morison, Managing Director of Imagine Africa said, ?The response by our customers was overwhelmingly understanding, and I am pleased to report that to date ? we have not had a single cancellation, and indeed, in the past week have confirmed several holidays to Kenya by both families and couples alike.?
Ash Sofat, chief executive of Somak Holidays said, ?We have customers on safari, and we have contacted them to inform them about the incident. It won?t affect their holiday plans and they are all staying on.?
The Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) and African Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) have both successfully taken place as planned this week and the destination looks forward to hosting key events scheduled for next month, the World Travel Awards (WTA), 16th October 2013 and the Magical Kenya Travel Expo, 18th ? 20th October 2013.
