Kenyan Population, Tourism Withering from Violence

Casualties of War

killwaterbuck

The recent spate of politically driven violence in Kenya has been not only the impetus for natives to flee, but Western tourists and all their glorious foreign currency as well. Rich white people with guns have never liked to be the hunted, and Kenya's billion-dollar tourism industry is suffering from a waning interest in its safaris and sightseeing tours after the nation's troubled elections spawned bloody unrest in December. Calvin Cottar, the owner of an upscale safari camp, assesses it succinctly in The New York Times: "People have not wanted to come to Kenya if they think 'they will be drinking Champagne while somebody is getting hacked to death over the hill.'" So true. Rebels wielding machetes really kill the mood.

Cottar's camp, a splendid plot that charges guests up to $700 a night per person, currently has not a single reservation. "If you go on safari now, you’ll be helping the country," he says, obviously forgetting that holidays for Westerners are about "R&R" – rest and relaxation – not reality.

The safari industry in Tanzania is booming and some Kenyan guides are already considering a move.

Mar 7, 2008 · posted by Cord Jefferson · Link · 7 Responses

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Tagged: Kenya, New York Times, Political Strife, Violence

Comments (7)

No. 1 · blackmistressdiva

Most interesting, to me, about this entire ordeal is how close to the surface all of these hostilities were. Kenya was often held up as a marker for other African nations. These places are one election or assassination away from utter chaos. Very frightening.

Posted: Mar 7, 2008 at 1:20 pm

No. 2 · tayo

Rather: "People will not want to come to Kenya if they think that THEY'LL get hacked to death while drinking their Champagne". How often do tourists really care what's going on with the "real world" outside of their resort?

BMD, there is a lot of hostilities close to the surface in many African countries, prominent or not. I would not be completely surprised about something popping off in S. Africa like this.

Very unfortunate.

Posted: Mar 7, 2008 at 2:07 pm

No. 3 · boo hoo/rantmagazine

Serves them right-the money they make on safari's doesn't even go really towards helping the people (blacks) in the country…

I went to Tanzania for a while last year with my mum (I'm originally from there) and my aunt kept on telling us to tip the helpers like lots because they get paid NOTHING at all…so that's a big thing there-the tip is like their wages so you have to tip like that…

Posted: Mar 7, 2008 at 2:23 pm

No. 4 · Mama's Rice and Beans

Time for the ObamaMan to step up his game on this!

He cures cancer, leprosy and apathy in the election process, surely The Great Luo Tribesman can go make peace among Kenyans.

Posted: Mar 7, 2008 at 4:05 pm

No. 5 · boo hoo/rant magazine

MR and Bs

Write to him! lol! But I think if he did anything for his other home country, he WILL loose the election…