30/07/10, 05:49:56 EDT

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Kenya: Safety Least of Our Cares, Say Tourists

allafrica.com

A Government survey has revealed that tourists visiting the country are less concerned about lack of security.

The visitors rank insecurity lowest in a list of factors affecting their stay, according to a study by Kenya Tourist Board released yesterday.


The finding is an indication that travellers pay less attention to travel advisories issued by the West against Kenya.

The Exit Survey, funded by the European Union and Tourist Trust Fund, measured the extent to which tourist expectations are met and found that only about four per cent remained wanting.

Overwhelmingly, 2,180 or 95.9 per cent of tourists reported that their expectations were met with respect to quality of services offered. In a list of seven un-met expectations, tourists ranked insecurity second last after corruption.

Poor roads

Topping the list was expensive services, poor roads and unhygienic conditions of towns respectively. Expensive services included telephone charges within hotels and taxi or van hire to the parks.

Some of the roads leading to major tourist destinations are still in a state of disrepair. They include the Narok-Mai Mahiu road leading to Maasai Mara and Ukunda-Diani road in south Coast.

Overall, the study established that tourist expectations are met when the quality of a destination, a product and a service is commensurate with the price paid for the same.

"Not surprisingly, some of the main reasons cited for dissatisfaction with products include price and service quality," said Mr Kennedy Manyalla, KTB's research and development manager.

KTB managing director Dr On'gong'a Achieng said the board would use the information as a marketing tool.

"The research did bring to light several new facts about our market and what they like and dislike about Kenya," he told reporters in Nairobi, yesterday.

"We are pleased that a majority of tourists were satisfied with their holidays and the destination in general," he added.

The survey was done to establish the significance tourists attach to various issues in making the decision to visit.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 23, 2007