Like many of you, I have been closely following the mall shooting in Nairobi, Kenya. I found an article that discusses the attack and the potential implications for its budding tourism industry. Recently, several large hotel companies like The Hilton and Radison Blu have been making investments and planning to build new properties in Nairobi. For more information about the investments being made in the Nairobi hotel industry, click here. It seems logical that investors would begin to question spending millions of dollars on new properties if tourist are too scared to visit Nairobi due to its volatile past with tourists.
Kenya has a history of violence and tourists abductions, which have tarnished its reputation. Back in 2011, a couple from England were abducted by Somali pirates, and the husband was killed. A short time later, an elderly French tourists was abducted as well. These were isolated incidents, but the mall attack has had a much greater impact on many more lives.
I'm interested in creating a discussion about possible PR solutions that an organization like the Kenya Tourism Federation may create to ensure that the recent mall attacks do not effect ongoing business. Per our discussions in class so far, I think one important step would be to get the word out about the precautionary safety measures that are being taken throughout the rest of Nairobi in response to this incident. I also think that garnering support through acknowledging the victims will be an important effort to recognize the events. But moving forward, how can Kenya position their destination as a safe one in the minds of potential visitors to the city of Nairobi, and Kenya in general.
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI have looked into the Kenya Tourism Federation to follow up on your question about possible PR strategies. After the incidents in Kenya in the late 1990s that involved tourists, they created the Safety and Communication Center for tourists. The Center is meant to provide tourists with information about the safety precautions taken by the various tourism industries. It also serves as an intermediary between tourists and the Kenyan government, police, etc. The formation of the Kenya Tourism Federation seems like a great PR strategy. However, I think that they do fall short in their self-promotion. The organization is an ideal way to ensure tourists that their safety is being considered and actively monitored while they are in the country. With a few press releases in foreign newspapers they would be able to promote the federation and explain to the public their purpose. I also think that it would be effective for the federation to publish some sort of follow-up to the recent shooting.
In regards to the tourism industry as a whole, I think that companies such as the Hilton will only bring reassurance to possible tourists. The big-name hotels bring a sense of familiarity and safety to tourists who may have never previously visited Kenya. If the hotels continue developing in Kenya, I think it would continue to attract tourists.
I also found a statement from the Kenya tourism board regarding the Westgate Attack. It addresses the publics concerns and also gives details about upcoming tourist events. http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/travel/mall-attack-kenya-tourism/index.html