Felix Ogembo, the Kilanguni Serena safari Lodge manager, expresses discontent with the untimely issuance of the travel advisories.

"The advisories have affected the operations of the tourism industry forcing most hotels, especially at the coast to shut down. We have also been affect. We are currently recording a bed occupancy of less than 10% from the usual 80% within the same period", says Ogembo.

Kenya's tourism sector has been adversely hit by the current post-election conflict with most travel agencies from Europe and America cancelling their charters to Kenya.

The Kenya Tourism Board has announced that it will require Ksh 2 billion to repackage and market Kenya as a suitable destination.

"We have marketed ourselves. what we need is to change the negative perception which has painted Kenya as an unsafe country'" said Michael Mwangi of Kilaguni Serena.

Other destinations like Tanzania and Zanzibar have not been spared either since they share the same strategy and offer more or less similar packages.

The effect of the spillover of the conflict to neighbouring countries which are witnessing a surge in flow of commodities and services due to the cut off of the main railway lines in Kenya are experiencing negative economic effects.

At the Kilaguni Lodge, perhaps one among the most secure and humble destination located in the Tsavo National park activity was normal as the Kenya tourism embarked on a head count of elephants.

The KWS announced its latest tallying of elephants to be 11,696 in 2008 raising from 10,3395 in 2005. This increase was attributed to increased surveillance against poaching and decreased encroachment of animals and human activities.

The exercise was contacted at a cost of Kshs 10 million and lasted for one week.

Keywords:  kenya business travel