U.S. Downgrades Travel Warning for Kenya

The U.S. Department of State has revised its Travel Warning for Kenya, lifting the ban on non-essential travel to this East African nation. The new Travel Warning advises Americans to "consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time."

Mr. John Glen, Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation Travel Advisory Committee, said confirmations of bookings from leading U.S. travel agents were immediately increasing in light of the revised Travel Warning. "This is a significant step in the right direction," he said.

The initial Travel Warning for Kenya, issued in May 2003, advised American citizens to defer non-essential travel to Kenya. This action had a dramatic impact on the Kenyan tourism industry, costing millions of dollars in lost revenues and thousands of jobs in hotels and restaurants throughout the country.

"We understand and appreciate that the U.S. Department of State must take steps to protect the lives of Americans, particularly during this time of unrest in many parts of the world," noted Dr. Patrick Bergin, President and CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), "But, we are pleased to see the shift in the Kenya travel policy as wildlife-based tourism greatly benefits both the wildlife and people of Kenya."

AWF and the Kenyan Tourism Federation will continue to advocate for a complete lifting of the Travel Warning.