Bad timing

“Tour operators evacuate tourists from Kenya.”
“Dutch Foreign Office advises against travelling to Kenya.”

This week the Holiday Fair is held in the Netherlands. Exotic destinations that are relatively unknown, like Rwanda, are highlighted in the news. TV commercials from the big tour operators, showing the most idyllic sceneries, dominate every commercial break.
Traditionally, January is the month to start planning the summer holidays, for the Dutch and for other Europeans. And Kenya as a destination has disappeared from every wish list. The timing of the unrest could not be any worse.

Meanwhile, in Kenya great masses are discharged. Hotels near the Mombasa beaches and in Masai Mara are closing down, until further notice. Local tour operators receive cancellation after cancellation. Staff has been sent home.
And in Kenya no work means no income. Just imagine how many people in Kenya are directly or indirectly depending on tourism… it is going to be a hard year for the Kenyans.