By MATHIAS RINGA
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The Tourism sector received a major boost Friday after the French government lifted travel advisories against two coastal resort towns.
The French government lifted the travel bans against Mombasa and Malindi, a tourist town in Kilifi County.
In May 2014, France, the UK, US and Australia issued travel advisories against Kenya following a string of terror attacks by Somali terror group Al-Shabaab.
However, in June, the UK government lifted travel bans against Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties after the government addressed the security concerns raised by the western countries.
In October, the US followed suit by lifting travel advisories against Mombasa and Malindi towns following improved security.
French ambassador to Kenya Remi Marechaux said following a review on security measures the Kenyan government had put into place within the Coast region, French citizens are no longer advised to avoid Mombasa and Malindi towns.
For the better part of the year, Mombasa and other towns have been enjoying peace after the government intensified security across the region.
THANKED FRENCH GOVT
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala thanked the French government for lifting the travel advisories.
“We are happy when our tourist source markets appreciate what the government has done in improving security especially in our tourism hotspots,” he said.
“It is our hope that all travel advisories against other parts of the country will be reviewed soon,” he added.
He said the lifting of travel advisories against the coastal towns by the French government would boost the ailing sector.
In a press statement, Mr Balala appealed to other western countries which have not reviewed their travel advice to do so since the government had improved security in the region.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch executive officer Sam Ikwaye said the lifting of the travel advisories against Mombasa and Malindi would boost tourist arrivals from the French market.
“France is a resilient and high-end market. We are happy to welcome back French tourists to Mombasa and Malindi,” he said.
Mr Ikwaye appealed to the Australian government to also review its travel advisory against the coastal towns saying the region is now enjoying peace.
but how? … does the french aviation department use kenyan security?