The recovery of Kenya’ s tourism sector is dependent on resolution of the current political crisis currently gripping the East African state. The industry is the country’s leading foreign exchange earner could be up and running as early as August this year when the peak season officially begins.

Kenya Tourist Board (KB) boss Angong’a Achieng  said this week that his body had launched a massive campaign in Europe and America the main markets from where visitors to Kenya come from the assure them that the country was still capable of protecting visitors.
 
He said that while the sector had suffered a massive bow that had devastated the sector the country’s tourism infrastructure was intact and that those wishing to take holiday in Kenya could still do so.
 
“ The overall aim of the publicity blitz however is to make sure that the sector is on it’s feet by august when the peak season begins” said the KTB boss.
 
Fast resolution of the crisis would give his body enough arsenal to prove to the world that Kenya remained a safe destination , for visitors.
 
“The task ahead is not in any way simple considering the massively negative publicity this country has received in the international media  and all efforts including at the political level must not be spared to salvage Kenya’s image “ added Achieng.
 
 
Hotels and other tourism facilities had already sent many workers home after visitors fled the violence , a situation he said as regrettable but unavoidable .
 
Consultations were gong between industry payers and the government to determine the best course action the save the sector that last year contributed Ksh 42 billion in revenues.
 
Kenya has over the years emerged as one of the leading tourist destination on the continent  coming fourth after South Africa, Egypt and Tunisia.
 
Some 1 million visitors have come to Kenya over the past year alone, te highest number in the country’s history.
 
Most the visitors are from Europe, America and China , the latter being a non traditional market that was opened to Kenya only 3 years ago.
 
Those coming to Kenya are here for wildlife Safari , offered in many of Kenya’s game reserves , the most well known being Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru national park.
A few though visit coastal beaches of Mombasa and Malindi.
 
By the time hell broke loose conference and business tourism had began taking root  with the country hosting major international conferences and businesses gatherings.

Keywords: kenya travel