More tourists expected in Kenya from December after Diani expo

Tour operators from around the world are set to bring more tourists into the country from December following improved security.

Tour operators and travel agents from Europe, US, Asia and Africa, who participated in the Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Leisure Lodge in Diani, Kwale County, were impressed by the significant improvement of security in the country.

UK tour operator Ainslie Buck said British tourists were now interested in coming to Kenya for holidays after their government lifted travel advisories against coastal counties of Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa.

She said the lifting of the advisory had made it easier for tour operators and travel agents to bring more British holidaymakers to Kenya for both leisure and safari.

"We are glad the Kenyan government addressed security concerns which were raised by the UK which culminated in the lifting of travel advisories against coastal resort towns," she said.

"In January next year, we have plenty of British tourist bookings who are coming to Diani, Malindi and Watamu for leisure holidays," she said.

Ms Buck said her tour firm was also seeking bookings for Mombasa.

She went on: "Other tourists are set to visit the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Amboseli National Park for game drives."

US tour operator Alan Feldstein said he would do bookings for American tourists from January next year, for both safari and leisure.

He noted that the terrorist attacks in Kenya last year scared away American tourists but the US market had regained confidence.

Mr Feldstein said his tour firm would hold travel shows in California, Los Angeles, New York, Arizona and Philadelphia in a bid to attract more American tourists to Kenya.

"I am planning to do bookings for American tourists to come for safari within the Mara conservancies as well as to enjoy the warmth of friendly Maasai people," he said.

"My tour company would also bring tourists to the Kenya coast to soak up the sun on the stunningly beautiful beaches like Diani," he explained.

A European tour operator, Ulrike Schafer, said her tour firm was getting more bookings for Kenya from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France.

She explained that from November to December, FTI Group tour firm would register more bookings from Germany.

Ms Schafer said the return of German airline Lufthansa to Nairobi this month would be a huge boost to tourism in Kenya.

"We are delighted that Lufthansa will this month resume flights from Frankfurt to Nairobi. This will help our tour firm bring more German tourists to Kenya," she added.

A German tour operator, Isabelle Huhnergarth, said she felt safe being in Kenya, adding that she would be back for holiday in February next year.

She said her tour firm already had some German tourist bookings for December who are coming for both safari and leisure.

"The Mara is the best destination for safari in Africa due to its abundant wildlife as well as quality lodges and tented camps," she said.

"German tourists will also be coming to the Kenya Coast for relaxation on the powder soft beaches and the tropical weather," she explained.

Poland tour operator and events organiser Anna Tederko, who had visited Kenya for the first time, said she was captivated by the Kenyan landscape especially the biodiversity in Samburu.

She was also swept off her feet by the alluring coastal beaches, adding that she would book Polish tourists to come to Kenya.

Iranian tour operator Mehdi Shaerpour said his tour firm had planned to bring 560 Iranian tourists to Mombasa and Diani in March next year.

He explained he would bring the Iranian tourists for game drives in Kenyan national parks and for leisure in Mombasa and Diani.

Mr Shaerpour said the Iranian holidaymakers would also do shopping in Mombasa as well as visit historical sites such as Fort Jesus.

The Magical Kenya Travel Expo, which began on Thursday, ended on Saturday with local hotels, lodges and tented camps expecting more international tourist arrivals from next month.

The Kenya Tourism Board held the expo in Diani for the first time as part of efforts to revive the troubled sector in the region.

At least 176 tour operators, travel agents, airline representatives and travel writers from around the world attended the event.

Source: More tourists expected in Kenya from December after Diani expo