Working with local embassies to monitor the 195 recognized nations around the world to determine how safe they are for American tourists to visit, the U.S. State Department regularly issues warnings about everything from rising crime and the risk of terrorism to natural disasters.
In recent months, the government agency has reissued its warning about rising homicide rates in Jamaica, issued a new “do not travel” advisory for the city of Reynosa in Mexico and reiterated the risk of terrorist attacks in European capitals such as Paris and Berlin, especially during peak travel periods such as the recent Olympic Games.
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On September 13, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya issued a new alert urging American visitors to Nairobi to “exercise increased caution due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping.”
Embassy warns that places frequented by U.S. citizens and other foreign tourists are at particular risk
“Places frequented by U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya remain targets for terrorists,” the embassy statement said. “Terrorist groups may strike with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, shopping malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreign nationals and tourists.”
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The notice was issued to remind travelers of the heightened risk around the anniversaries of certain past attacks, such as the Sept. 21, 2013, shooting at the Westgate mall in Nairobi and the Oct. 7 Hamas attack last year on Israel.
Those in or traveling to the country in the near future are advised to be aware of their surroundings and “stay alert in places frequented by tourists/foreigners,” as well as avoid crowds, local demonstrations, and other areas with a higher risk of attack.
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Tourism in Kenya continues to grow at a dizzying pace
But despite certain security risks, tourism to Kenya from the United States and other Western countries has also seen a sharp rise.
Asia's largest budget airline, AirAsia, has cited the new flight between Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi as an example of increased tourism, while the Kenyan government has also recently called for all visa requirements to be removed for international tourists coming on a short visit. Instead, visitors of any nationality will now have to submit an electronic application before visiting.
“Kenya has a simple message for humanity: welcome home,” Kenyan President William Ruto said in a speech in December to celebrate the country's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Figures released by the Kenya Tourism Board show that the number of international visitors to the country grew by 21.3% between the first half of 2023 and 2024, while the country's tourism industry is expected to grow by more than 9% next year.
Kenya and fellow African nation Ghana were also recently named as trending destinations in travel platform Kayak's Summer 2024 travel report on what flights travelers are searching for and booking.
“If budget is less of a concern than staying on top of things, then head to Africa,” the report's authors conclude. “As we had anticipated, interest in destinations on the Saharan continent is on the rise, making it our number one trending region for the summer.”
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