Phyllis Kandie holds talks with UK officials over travel advisories

Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie during a past media briefing. PHOTO/DIANA NGILA/NATION 

By MATHIAS RINGA
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The Kenyan government on Monday held high level talks with United Kingdom officials in London seeking a lift of the travel advisories against resort towns at the Coast.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said she had discussions with UK officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to request a lift of the travel warnings against Mombasa, Lamu and some parts of Kwale and Kilifi counties.

She added that she briefed the UK officials about how the travel bans had dealt a blow to Kenya's tourism sector especially at the Coast.

"We had warm discussions with officials from the UK government with regard to the travel warnings which have impacted negatively on our tourism sector," she said.

"We explained to them that a lift of the travel warnings could help boost our tourism recovery efforts," she added.

Asked about UK's response to Kenya's request, Mrs Kandie remained said talks between the two governments are still ongoing.

She also did not disclose the names of the UK officials she held discussions with at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

The Cabinet Secretary spoke to the Nation at ExCel London on the sidelines of the World Travel Market Fair which entered its second day on Tuesday.

She was accompanied by acting Kenya High Commissioner to UK Jackline Yonga and Kenya Tourism Board managing director Muriithi Ndegwa.

DOWNPLAYED ATTACKS

At the same time, Mrs Kandie downplayed the attacks in Nyali barracks in Mombasa and an AP camp in Malindi.

She said the Kenyan delegation at the fair had had successful talks with travel agents and tour operators from across the UK.

"While at WTM, we had the chance to inform travel agents and tour operators from the UK that security has significantly improved in our country and therefore the destination is safe for holiday," she said.

"Despite the recent two incidents which occurred at the Coast, our UK travel industry partners warmed up to our explanations and we hope to receive more international visitors in December," added Mrs Kandie.

The Cabinet Secretary said she also had interviews with leading international media organisations including the BBC and CNN where she reassured international travel players and tourists that the country is safe for vacations.

"I had a series of interviews with foreign media from the UK and the US which was a forum for me to give the outside world the right picture of our country in a bid to counter negative publicity," she explained.