US softens travel advisory against Kenya
Written By:Rose Kamau/KNA
Posted: Sun, Aug 31, 2008

The US Government has softened its Advisory Travel Warning for Kenya.

US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger assured stakeholders in the tourism industry that the travel warning had been revised to reflect the restitution of peace and stability throughout Kenya following the historical establishment of a Grand Coalition Government.

Speaking at the August 7th Memorial Park in Nairobi, Ranneberger said that travel advisories and warnings are standard tools used by the American Government to advise its citizens of potential dangers throughout the world.

"Such warnings are in effect for more than 40 countries around the world. The travel warnings for Kenya contains factual information and most importantly does not recommend against travel to Kenya," he said.

Ranneberger said his Government was instead of discouraging travel and trade in Kenya working towards expanding the same citing Prime Minister Raila Odinga's recent visit to the US whereby the two governments signed an Open Skies Agreement to facilitate expansion of routes and schedules to increase American travel to Kenya.

He said under the Safe Skies for Africa Program, American authorities were collaborating with the Kenya Civil Aviation and Airport authorities to improve safety and security at local airports and over its skies.

"Indeed under Safe Skies, we have on staff at the US Embassy, a Senior US Transportation Security Administration Advisor who is working hand in glove with his Kenyan counterparts to help Kenya attain Category One Status," he said.

The ambassador noted that the achievement of such status would be a milestone to the country, as it would guarantee direct flights between the United States and Kenya and greatly facilitate expansion of tourism and trade in the country.

"Delta Airlines recently opened an office in Nairobi. We are in routine contact with Delta Airline Officials, who envision unveiling service to Kenya in June 2009 with flights originating from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Nairobi via Dakar, Senegal," he added.

He commended the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) for including the Memorial Park in its circuit of the city's tour saying it was the most appropriate honour to the victims of the terrible tragedy that befell Kenya in 1998.

Meanwhile Ranneberger says the US Government has donated over Ksh 415 million towards supporting environmental programmes and promoting tourism in Kenya.

He said the US government was committed to working closely with the Kenyan government and the private sector in environmental protection and promotion of the tourism industry.

Rannebrger further said in the past two years the US Government had sent over 50 Kenyan law enforcement officials among them Kenya Wildlife Service rangers to the International Legal Enforcement Academy in Gaberone Botswana.

"Through USAID we are providing $ 6 million to support environment programs, including support to the Kenya Wildlife Service which deserves such enormous credit for its highly professional efforts to protect Kenya's parks, wildlife and environment," he said.

He hailed the Kenya Tourist Board and the US Foreign Commercial Service's Office of Marketing saying they too had been supportive in marketing Kenya as an attractive tourist destination adding that the US Government was seeking for more sources of support to assist the ministry of Tourism.

"I am determined to redouble these efforts after having been inspired by witnessing the Great Migration during my visit to the Masai Mara two weeks ago," added the envoy.

Article at: http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=52193