Kenya’s tourism got a major boost after France declared the country safe for its citizens and investors.
In a letter to French tourists and investors, the French Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Elisabeth Barbier, said post-election violence that had rocked the country early in the year was long gone.
"Those sad events had a negative impact on the economy, especially the tourism sector,’ said Barbier.
She said the damage ‘‘caused by the post-election crisis that were widely covered by the French and international media have been repaired".
She described Kenya as a choice destination for French tourists and investors.
"President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are now working together to put the country back on the rails in a very positive spirit of reconciliation," added the envoy.
She said international partners and donors were committed to support the Government’s economic recovery programmes. "The natural beauties, the fabulous wildlife wealth at national parks such as the
Maasai Mara, Meru, the Indian Ocean coast, where beach blends with the Swahili culture, deserve your visit today more than ever," she told French tourists.
"Kenya will quickly take back its position of the economic motor of the dynamic Eastern Africa with an important banking industry and a well-trained population," said Barbier.
And Tourism minister Najib Balala, who was on a tour of France, said the sector would recover to the pre-crisis level by next year.
The number of French tourists increased by 59.5 per cent between 2003 and 2007, with 52,566 French visitors last year.
Balala said Kenya was a safe destination for tourists, investors and business groups.
During the visit Balala met Mr Sebastien Bouillet, the general manager of the Tour-operator Group, Nouvelles FrontiËres, with whom he signed a marketing partnership agreement to bring in more French tourists.
The main objective of the agreement is to strengthen the activities towards the re-launch of Kenya by the tour-operator.
Meanwhile, a leading multinational company, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has expressed confidence in Kenya as a tourism destination and vowed to support it.
In an interview with The Standard, A&K worldwide chairman and chief executive officer, Mr Geofrey Kent, said despite the post-election crisis, its recovery was huge.
"You have one of the best tourist attractions as a long haul destination that combines beach, safari and nature expedition," said Kent, who founded the company in 1962.
"Your greatest asset is the people’s hospitality who are a great attraction."
He called on the Government to ensure peace and security prevails as the two are crucial to tourism’s growth.
"There is too much choice in the world. Other competing destinations have equally attractive establishments like Botswana, South Africa,
Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia," he said
