Tourists Advised That 'Kenya Has Calmed'

Kenya has calmed and is open for tourism business in most areas, was the message coming out of a meeting of political leaders this week.

The US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice flew into Nairobi yesterday to attending a briefing with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan about the political situation in the African nation.

After the meeting it was confirmed that all areas throughout the country are now reported to be calm with no recent reports of post-election violence.

Tourist areas in particular are experiencing no "reported problems" and the international hotels in Nairobi and beach resorts at the coast as well as wildlife parks are all business as normal.

Vehicles taking holidaymakers between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru National Park are doing so "without experiencing any problems" as the security situation on the main highways through these towns is now "back to normal".

However, the Kenya Tourism Federation is continuing to monitor the security situation in western Kenya and is advising visitors to steer clear of this region for the time being.

Reports emerged this week that Kenya's tourism industry is gearing itself up for a major marketing campaign to encourage holidaymakers back to the African nation, following the well-publicised political clashes that have occurred in the country.

Members of the Kenya Tourism Board will attend the annual International Tourism Exchange ITB in Germany next month to kick-start their campaign.