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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Tour firms extend Kenya trips ban | Tour firms extend Kenya trips ban |
| (4 days later) | |
| UK travel firms have cancelled holidays to Kenya until Monday, the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) has announced. | UK travel firms have cancelled holidays to Kenya until Monday, the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) has announced. |
| An estimated 500 people will be hit by the move which comes amid continuing Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to the country. | An estimated 500 people will be hit by the move which comes amid continuing Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to the country. |
| All major UK tour operators had already suspended holidays until Saturday. | All major UK tour operators had already suspended holidays until Saturday. |
| The FTO said Monday was a major return-home day for UK tourists in Kenya and holiday airlines will send planes to bring people back. | The FTO said Monday was a major return-home day for UK tourists in Kenya and holiday airlines will send planes to bring people back. |
| We will be deciding over the weekend on holiday arrangements for the days after Monday FTO spokesman Graham Lancaster Britons anxious over trips | We will be deciding over the weekend on holiday arrangements for the days after Monday FTO spokesman Graham Lancaster Britons anxious over trips |
| The east African country has been gripped by violent clashes in the wake of the disputed presidential election. | The east African country has been gripped by violent clashes in the wake of the disputed presidential election. |
| The Foreign Office has urged anyone in affected areas, including Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu, to remain indoors and to "exercise extreme caution". | The Foreign Office has urged anyone in affected areas, including Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu, to remain indoors and to "exercise extreme caution". |
| Announcing the latest ban, FTO spokesman Graham Lancaster said: "Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to Kenya is still in place and we thought it best to extend the cancellation dates." | Announcing the latest ban, FTO spokesman Graham Lancaster said: "Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to Kenya is still in place and we thought it best to extend the cancellation dates." |
| He added: "About 500 people are affected by the cancellation of trips on Sunday and Monday. The FTO will be deciding over the weekend on holiday arrangements for the days after Monday." | He added: "About 500 people are affected by the cancellation of trips on Sunday and Monday. The FTO will be deciding over the weekend on holiday arrangements for the days after Monday." |
| Volatile | Volatile |
| British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways are continuing UK-Kenya scheduled services as normal. | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways are continuing UK-Kenya scheduled services as normal. |
| The violence has been mainly confined to urban areas, well-away from the country's popular beach resorts and safari parks. | The violence has been mainly confined to urban areas, well-away from the country's popular beach resorts and safari parks. |
| But many tourists have to travel through Mombasa or Nairobi to reach their destinations. | But many tourists have to travel through Mombasa or Nairobi to reach their destinations. |
| An increasingly popular tourist destination, about 200,000 Britons visited Kenya last year, with numbers peaking in late January and February. | An increasingly popular tourist destination, about 200,000 Britons visited Kenya last year, with numbers peaking in late January and February. |
| Cancellations also mean UK holiday companies having to refund passengers who choose not to take or cannot be accommodated on alternative holidays. | Cancellations also mean UK holiday companies having to refund passengers who choose not to take or cannot be accommodated on alternative holidays. |
| The Foreign Office says on its travel advice website that the situation "remains volatile". | The Foreign Office says on its travel advice website that the situation "remains volatile". |
| "There are reports that daily mass gatherings are being planned for Nairobi and other urban areas. Such gatherings could potentially turn violent," it adds. | "There are reports that daily mass gatherings are being planned for Nairobi and other urban areas. Such gatherings could potentially turn violent," it adds. |