Fact finding teams find Kenya peaceful-As KQ and Destination Connect seek to restore the pride of Africa |15 March 2008
These were the findings and statements that teams from Seychelles media and travel industry personnel got when they enjoyed a trip to Kenya while on a fact-finding mission sponsored by Kenya Airways and leading travel agency, Destination Connect.
“In January alone, Kenya registered 40,000 visitors without a single incident involving a tourist despite the conflicts, and tourism activities did not cut-off completely,” Seychelles Nation journalist Roland Duval heard in Kenya, as he and our photographer, Patrick Joubert, posed for pictures on quiet streets that were at one time the scene of violence that was captured by TV cameras then, on clips that are still misleadingly being broadcast.
Following is Mr Duval’s description of the situation as he saw it, as supported by Mr Joubert’s pictures.
Based on footage broadcast by international media portraying Kenya as being a hostile place almost two months after the December presidential election, Kenya Airways in collaboration with Kenyan based tours and travel company, Destination Connect, recently organized a three-day familiarization visit to Nairobi and the Rift Valley for Seychelles’ travel agencies and media representatives.
The prime aim of the visit was assist the Kenya Airways in convincing its clients about the safeness of Nairobi as a tourist destination thus encouraging them to regain the confidence lost after the post-poll riots which was the top story of almost every international television network.
It was also an opportunity for the representatives of the various travel agencies namely Orchid Travel, Coco de Mer Travel, Creole Travel Services, 7 Degrees South Ltd and local airline Air Seychelles to witness the actual situation in Nairobi which will now place them in a better position to sell Kenya Airways and promote Kenya as a safe tourist destination.
The initiative followed a drop off of nearly 90% in the airline’s local bookings due to the post election insurgences in Kenya.
While in Kenya, the delegation managed to experience the atmosphere through various activities provided by Destination Connect. That included Safaris in Nairobi National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park. They also got the chance to enjoy the Kenyan cuisine at the Nyama Choma Ranch, Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant, Pampa Brazilian Bistro Restaurant, the Lake Nakuru Lodge and the Carnivore Restaurant.
Interaction with ordinary Kenyan people through visits at various sites and locations which were described as extremely hostile during the post-poll events by international media was also included in the visit.
At the Kedong camp on the South Lake Road in Naivasha, the group managed to mingle with the “displaced people” to hear their version of the events. Through their testimonies, it was very apparent that the Kenyan people are still suffering from what happened and it can be clearly figured out that it will take a quite a long time before things can get better in terms of the people’s personal attitude.
For most of them it is still vivid in their mind the day they attempted to flee to Naivasha Police Station after words went round that they would be attacked. Some are still being haunted by the nightmares of youth armed with machetes and clubs putting up roadblocks on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway and inspecting vehicles to slaughter those who could not speak their native language.
According to some of them, the country has gone back 50 years in terms of thoughts and approaches of the people.
Mixed feelings among the different tribes are also evident. According to the Kikuyus, the Luos are responsible for the whole situation due to the fact that they rejected the poll result while the Luo are feeling betrayed by their leaders who accepted to be part of he coalition government.
Localised problems
Still regarding the post election conflicts, the managing director of Destination Connect, Consaga Khisa, highlighted that the foreigners, precisely the tourists were not directly part of it. He explained that in January alone, Kenya registered 40,000 visitors without a single incident involving a tourist and that despite the conflicts, the tourism activities did not cut-off completely.” Now as you can see, the activities are rapidly getting back to normal. My view is that it was a localized problem and unfortunately it affected the people that could be considered as the low income group in society. If you look at Nairobi for example, problems were mainly experienced in the high density slum areas and so from that you can see that it was a rather localized problem and not a problem that pressed on tourism in any way.”
Seychelles connection
As for Seychelles, Mr Khisa said that it is a very important market for both Kenya and Destination Connect due to its geographical area. With the recent increase in multi-country tourism activity, tourists will go to Seychelles to enjoy the beaches before moving to Kenya to enjoy the safari that the country offers. In that line he explained that tour operators from both countries market jointly.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Destination Connect is a client-driven Kenyan based tours and travel company, specializing in safaris and beach holidays across East Africa. Mr Khisa explained that his company in conjunction with Kenya Airways found it necessary to organise the trip so that they could give agents and journalists from Seychelles a first time experience of Kenya today, most particularly the country’s tourism industry without hiding the facts of the negative impacts caused by the post election events. He however made clear that all these events have been put behind and that the country is quickly reverting back to normal which makes it safe for visitors to come to Kenya. The best way of doing that is to invite people that can form opinions so that on their return they can give their views based on experience they had of the country.
“Journalists, because you are the ones who tell it as it is and agencies because they are mainly the ones that sell Kenya. We related very closely with Kenya Airways to find out who are some of the top selling agents in Seychelles and on that basis we invited them to come and have a look,” he added.
According to Kenya Airways’ sales manager, Zakiya Vidot, the impact of the situation does not affect the airline in terms of Seychellois clients only but also those who travel on two way destination basis. This involves mainly Europe-based clients who visited Seychelles before proceeding to Kenya for safari.
As for the local clients, Mrs Vidot explained that the impact of the situation is quite severe due to the fact that the majority of them travel frequently even though the group is quite small compared to those of other destinations.
Most of them admitted that international media exaggerated in their broadcasting and this is surely the main cause of panic and insecurity among the travelers.
They explained that after the election, they were not getting frequent bookings like before except for a few transits.
One of their main tasks now, is to join forces with Kenya Airways and Destination Connect in promoting Kenya as safe tourist destination.
They are all determined to bring back the confidence of their clients and give a helping hand in restoring the pride of Africa.
Feature sponsored by Kenya Airways