U.S. government warning its citizens to avoid travel in Kenya

The renewed American travel advisory is a source of great discomfort in the tourism industry. There is no better description of this than a stab in the back of a good friend.

Hasn't Kenya always been considered one of the best allies of the United States in this region?

But perhaps the operators and all those who benefit directly or indirectly from tourism should begin to see this as a case of the closure of one door leading to the opening of another.

And what better confirmation of this than visiting Swiss Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Franz von Daniken's assurance that his country considers Kenya a safe destination.

With better marketing, Kenya could woo more tourists from this affluent central European country.

The tourism industry should see this official American snub as a wake-up call to look for alternative sources of tourists. The attempt in recent times to woo visitors from Asia, especially China and Japan, is commendable and must be stepped up. -- The Sunday Nation, Kenya