Tourism players in Kenya's Lamu and Malindi resort towns are bracing themselves for hard times following a recent travel advisory issued by the United States. The advisory has been described as “unfair” and “unfortunate”.

The US Department of State warned Americans to avoid travel to the border area between Somalia and Kenya because of threats by the terrorist group Al Shabaab. US citizens were warned to avoid the Kenyan counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa, the coastal counties of Lamu and Tana River in their entirety, all areas north of Malindi in Kilifi County and Eastleigh in Nairobi.

In 2014, tourism at the Kenya coast suffered a major blow when the US, the UK, France and Australia issued travel advisories for some coastal resort towns after terror attacks by Al Shabaab. However, the US, UK and France lifted the advisories for some coastal towns between 2015 and early 2016, which gave a much-needed boost to the tourism sector.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Kilifi County Branch Chairman, Philip Chai, said the US travel warning had come at a time when the sector had reached its lowest ebb after a busy festive season. “We are happy that international tourists enjoyed their festive holidays without any security challenges as the police were up to the task,” he said.

Kijani House Hotel proprietor, Pierre Oberson, termed the US travel advisories for Lamu as unfair, saying the archipelago was safe for holidays. “It is very disappointing for the US government to have issued warnings to its citizens to avoid visiting Lamu, as the island has been safe over the years.”

Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman, Mohamed Hersi, also expressed dismay over the US travel advice, saying it was unjustified. “It is quite unfortunate that the US has warned its citizens against travelling to Lamu and north of Malindi, as these areas having been enjoying peace in recent years.”