{Tourism has received a major boost after Kenya was named one of the world\u2019s top 10 destinations to visit in 2016.}<\/p>\n
A United Kingdom travel publication, Rough Guides, ranked Kenya ninth globally and first in Africa largely due to its world-famous national parks, white sand beaches and the rich culture.<\/p>\n
Rough Guides is a travel guide book published by Penguin Random House, one of the leading publishers in Europe.<\/p>\n
The new endorsement of Kenya as a must-visit destination comes barely a month after the country was voted the world\u2019s leading safari destination in 2015 by the World Travel Awards (WTA).<\/p>\n
Kenya scooped the global accolade after overcoming competition from other African safari destinations like South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Najib Balala welcomed the latest endorsement.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI am glad that the Rough Guides recognised Kenya as among the top 10 countries to be visited by tourists in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cKenya is indisputably a premier destination for both beach and safari and we call on tourists from across the world to come have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Describing Kenya as safe for travel, Mr Balala, who recently took over the Tourism docket, welcomed holidaymakers to Kenya\u2019s world-famous parks for safari \u201cand our awarding winning beaches at the Coast for them to soak up the sun\u201d.<\/p>\n
The CS said the government would capitalise on the accolade to woo more international holidaymakers.<\/p>\n
In the latest Rough Guides, Nepal was ranked as the Number One place to visit largely because of its varied landscape, including the Himalayas Mountain and jungles inhabited by tigers.<\/p>\n
Although the country has in the past been devastated by earthquakes, its tourism industry is once again on the rise.<\/p>\n
Colombia was second, Cuba third, Jordan fourth and Albania was fifth.<\/p>\n
Romania was ranked sixth while El Salvador was ranked seventh overall ahead of Wales at position eight, Kenya at position nine and Sri Lanka, which completed the list of the world\u2019s top 10 countries to visit this year.<\/p>\n
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\nOn the Rough Guides website, the UK travel and adventure publication says the foreign media hasn\u2019t been kind to Kenya in the recent past, and the terrorist attacks in Mombasa and Garissa in recent years have taken a toll on the country\u2019s tourism industry.<\/p>\n
However, the publication notes that travel advisories imposed by some European nations have been lifted and that \u201cmajority of this vast and breathtaking-country (is) safe for travel\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you\u2019ve had your fill of lion, leopard and elephant tracking, there are pristine white sands waiting along the Indian Ocean, the other worldly landscapes of Lake Turkana and the beautiful tribes of the northern Chalbi desert to discover,\u201d says a the endorsement from the travel publication.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (Kato) Coast branch chairperson, Ms Monika Solanki, said the country\u2019s recognition by Rough Guides was a major boost to the tourism sector.<\/p>\n
She said the latest ranking was a major achievement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt demonstrates to the world that Kenya is best for leisure and safari,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Kenya Tourism Board should capitalise on the global accolade to help attract more international tourists to the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said the recognition was evidence that the country has among the best tourism products.<\/p>\n
He said there was need for the national and county governments to conserve the wildlife, beaches and the local cultures for sustainable tourism.<\/p>\n
While urging tourists to visit the country, Rough Guides said: \u201cGo now and you\u2019ll support a struggling tourism industry, while reaping the benefits of having many of Kenya\u2019s most popular attractions all to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source:Daily Nation:[Kenya secures ninth position in top 10 places to visit this year->http:\/\/www.nation.co.ke\/news\/Kenya-secures-ninth-position-in-top-10-places-to-visit-this-year\/-\/1056\/3022608\/-\/muf482z\/-\/index.html]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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