Speaking on Saturday morning
when he paid a courtesy call on President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House
Nairobi, World Tourism Organization secretary general, Dr Taleb Rifai
said Kenya is a shining example in the tourism sector and that the
entire United Nation system supports the country to achieve its goals.
He said terror is a global challenge which requires all nations to join hands in combating it.
He said that there was no need for travel advisories.
“I want to assure you that you are not alone in this, we will support you Your Excellency,” he said.
OFFER KENYA SUPPORT
Dr
Rifai called on the international community to give Kenya an absolute
and unconditional support adding that the travel advisories issued by
some nations do not augur well for the tourism industry and general
development.
“These forces of darkness want to scare
people from coming to Kenya but we should not allow them to derail us
from our goals,” he said
He commended President
Kenyatta for taking proactive steps in dealing with terrorism by
ensuring that the country continues to open up to all visitors from all
over the globe.
“You have managed to open up and not
closed into yourself as a country, but rather you have brought the world
to yourself,” Dr Rifai said.
The world tourism chief
said his organisation is taking positive action in promoting Kenya as
one of the best tourist destination by signing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Government to ensure the sector is
sustainable.
WONDERFUL DESTINATION
He said the MoU is aimed at restoring the image and repositioning Kenya as a desired tourist destination.
The
MOU is to provide the Government of Kenya with a crisis management tool
kit and manual to help the country respond to tourism related crisis
especially in the international stage.
President
Kenyatta said Kenya will not succumb to threats and that it will
continue encouraging coexistence amongst its citizens.
“We are not going to close our society, we appreciate our diversity despite the tragedy that befell us,” said the President.
He said the recent terror attack on Kenya is an isolated case and that all nations are facing a similar challenge.
NO TO TRAVEL ADVISORIES
“We
will not change our plans rather we will continue with what we are
doing. There is no need to issue travel advisories, you scare people by
issuing them and thereby fall into the trap of the enemies,” he added.
The
President urged western nations to always consult deeply before issuing
travel advisories so as to understand the kind of negative impact that
can be caused by those actions.
“Sometimes these
advisories are put without much consideration, when you issue advisories
you create fear and despondency,” said President Kenyatta.
Present
were the Cabinet Secretary for East Africa, Commerce and Tourism,
Phyllis Kandie and Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Mureithi
Ndegwa.
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