NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is delighted by the move made on Friday by the UK government to remove travel advisory for Mombasa and the entire stretch of the coast from Watamu to the border with Tanzania.
The South coast has always remained open to the UK travelers but lifting this travel ban to the north means that UK tourists can now enjoy the larger coastal area including one of the top beaches in Watamu. The only exclusion now is Malindi and areas further north , including Lamu County.
Kenya’s coastline offers about 500 kms of pristine Indian ocean beaches and the following areas will now be open the UK traveler to enjoy: Watamu Kilifi, Mtwapa, Shanzu, Bamburi, Mombasa Isalnd, Nyali , Likoni , Tiwi , Diani, Galu beaches , kinondo , Msambwein , Funsi , shomoni and Wasini Island which boasts of a rich marine park .
The Moi international airport Mombasa and Diani /Ukunda Airstrip serve these areas which can also be accessed by road.
Kenya received 117, 201 visitors from the UK at the close of 2014 which has been the leading source market for Kenya. The drop in arrivals compared to 149, 699 in 2013 can be attributed largely to the 14 month ban on non-essential travel. With the re-opening of the area of the Kenya coast north of Mombasa, British consumers will once again be offered a wider beach offering, either combined with a safari in one of Kenya’s 59 national parks or as a stand-alone holiday.
Muriithi Ndegwa, MD, Kenya Tourism Board commented, ‘We are delighted with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's decision to lift their travel advice for Kenya's coast from Watamu to Diani as announced yesterday. While our operators have continued to send their guests to the southern areas of the coast including Diani, Wasini and Msambweni we look forward to welcoming guests back to Mombasa and the beautiful coastline of Watamu and Kilifi.”
