As such, Kenya must not allow lapses in security to continue as they have a direct impact on the economy and how the country is perceived internationally.
Warnings issued by the US and British governments have an almost immediate effect on the hospitality industry.
Almost all advisories issued in the last decade were related to security lapses, including terrorist attacks.
The move by the United States government to list Kenya in a newly-created travel advisory category that singles out global kidnapping hotspots is yet another blow to the tourism industry, which looked to have been rebounding after a slump.
The US Department of State says the new assessment measure is intended to protect its travellers and is informed by cases of “kidnapping and hostage-taking by criminal and terrorist actors around the world”.
The news presents cause for alarm to Kenya’s tourism industry stakeholders since America was the leading source of foreign tourists to Kenya last year.
However, it also raises questions about US willingness to engage with countries like Kenya without necessarily making them look like dangerous places to visit considering that only one kidnapping was reported last year.
That said, the onus is now on the State’s apparatus to ensure that there is enhanced security around Kenya’s borders, as well as increased vigilance by the police and intelligence officers to stem criminal activity before it occurs.
Negative travel advisories are costly.
As such, Kenya must not allow lapses in security to continue as they have a direct impact on the economy and how the country is perceived internationally.
Warnings issued by the US and British governments have an almost immediate effect on the hospitality industry.
Almost all advisories issued in the last decade were related to security lapses, including terrorist attacks.
For instance, the US gave a full travel advisory while the UK issued alerts to parts of Kenya after the Westgate mall attack in 2013.
Other travel advisories over the years have been issued due to political turmoil surrounding general elections, which are routinely characterised by violence.
The economic impact of these warnings is real to Kenyans. Combined with other factors, they have led to a decline in tourist numbers that then lead to job losses in the travel industry. Kenyan security agencies, now under a new leadership, must do everything in their power to ensure that the country is safe as this has an impact on the economy.
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