Players in Kenya’s tourism industry anticipate a rebound during the European Summer season thanks to improved security across the country.

For the last two years, Kenya’s tourism sector has been performing poorly following terrorist incidents, including the Westgate attack in 2014.

The Kenya coast, which boasts 60% of hotel business in the East African nation, has been enjoying calm after the government heightened security across the region.

Southern Cross Safaris Chairman, Mike Kirkland, says he expects the sector to improve this year compared to last year due to the resort towns of Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Watamu, being safe for holidays.

Kirkland adds that during the Summer period - July to October this year, he expects international flight bookings to soar by more than 20% as leading tour operators and travel agents have regained confidence in the destination.

“The positive thing is that the markets are now forgetting about the terrorist attacks which occurred in 2014 as the country is now much safer,” he said. “Ebola has also been contained in the affected countries and therefore I expect tourism to do better beginning July to December this year.”

Kirkland says his tour firm has experienced a surge in bookings from European markets including Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Karen Blixen Camp MD Ronald Mutie, said that international tourist bookings for the Summer season had jumped by 20% compared to last year. He added that the Camp had registered impressive bookings for the Summer from the Scandinavian countries of Denmark and Norway. “We have also bookings from the US, UK and Australia, with the visitors coming to the country for safari,” he said.

Kenya Tourism Board Acting MD, Jacinta Nzioka, says she anticipates international flight bookings for the country to increase by more than 20% during Summer. An analysis of flight bookings released last week also showed an increase in international flight bookings to Kenya.

The KTB boss explained that tour operators and travel agents from the traditional markets of Germany, UK, Italy, Switzerland and France were now interested in selling Kenya in the wake of peace enjoyed in the country.

Nzioka said bookings for the European Summer were on the rise due to improved security and the charter incentive programme which was introduced last year. She also attributed the surge in international bookings to reduction of park entry fees from $90 per visitor to $60 and the waiving of visa fees for children below 16 years.