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Kenya attracts tourists despite violence fears during August election

Kenya attracts tourists despite violence fears during August election

Kenya

Tourist bookings remained up in Kenya, during the August 8th polls which were fairly peaceful, the country’s Tourism Federation said.

Tourists to Kenya shrugged off fears of potential violence during elections visiting the East African country.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held a decade after a disputed presidential election led to violence which left more than a thousand dead and the vital tourism sector on its knees in 2007.

Chairman of the tourist federation, Mohamed Hersi said there is nothing negative that would forced anybody to reconsider their visit to Kenya.

“The peak period which happened to coincide with the elections, the peak period for migration in the Mara and also the safari circuit that happened in July and the entire August we still continue with a bit of peak period in September and then from October 15th it is going to slow down. We have not been affected in any way by the elections, for simple reason that the campaign period,” he added.

Tourism, which is a hard top currency earner for the east African nation, had an improvement in arrivals and revenue last year, but the performance was still way below 2011, when visitors jumped to a record high, a year considered as a benchmark.

British tourists Allan Pattenden and his wife June who’ve visited the country 41 times, said they felt safe while on holiday.

“There always will be violence I mean we have violence in England on political battles but it’s always a certain section who will cause trouble at any time whether its politics or something else, no I have no worries at all,” Allen said.

“Kenya is very beautiful very nice country, I was in a big stress, because I don’t know how I will be feeling in this country but now I am so so happy,” said Polish tourist, Mike Moore.

Tour operators and hoteliers are keenly watching developments in the country where protests have been held in recent weeks as opposition supporters demand the sacking of election officials before the re-run of a presidential vote.
The east African nation, boasts palm-fringed beaches and safari trails that attract over 1 million visitors every year.

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