Kenya's Tourism industry may suffer due to the recent Nairobi mall terrorism incident, but how bad will it affect the toursim industry? 66 dead is a cause of concern and alarm even for locals whose tourism accounts for one in 10 jobs, 20% of exports and 12.5% of GDP, according to AP report today.
Nairobi -- David Scowsill, in an African Hotel Investment Forum, stated that tourism in Kenya have a statistics of 1.8M visitors last 2012. The President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, added that it is the "cornerstone of the economy."
He referred to travel and tourism as; "A weapon in the war against terror, which can rebuild confidence that a country is not only safe to visit but is a place to do business."
David Scowsill asked attendees to utilize social media;
"...to support Kenyans by telling the world that they are here and that they are having a good and safe time."
African luxury tour operator Micato Safaris, with operating branches in New York, so far was not affected according to his Managing Director Dennis Pinto, he commented;
"We have had no cancellations. On Monday we got the same number of online requests for brochures that we usually get. It will take a week or two before we know the impact, if any."
Pinto also added that Micato is busy accommodating coprorate groups and international flights of client who tours the city.
"We use the Norfolk Hotel in downtown Nairobi, about 45 minutes from the mall, we moved clients to Hemingways, a hotel in Karen, a suburb, not because of a concern about terrorism but because the Norfolk became very busy with journalists. We moved people to a quieter place for their comfort level not because of security. We also lined up charter flights and flew people into the bush a day earlier. "
He emphasized that, "The terrorists did not target tourists, but wealthy Kenyans and expats. Those are the people that use that mall".
Hippo Creek Safaris in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., reported that they do not have cancellations so far. Travel agent Daniel Saperstein and Hippo Creek Safaris co-owner, gave an advise;
"We always stress that clients should get trip cancellation insurance. Each policy is unique. Some cover terrorism, but not political unrest. With safaris, you do not get your money back if you cancel 30-60 days before departure."
He also assured that hotels in Nairobi are "security conscious".
Finally, "Kenya is a very safe place to visit. Security has always been tight in Kenya and more so now. Every park and reserve is secured both for the protection of tourists but also for the prevention of poaching elephant and rhino."
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