WORLD> Africa
Kenyan leader woos tourists after post poll crisis
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-18 09:47

NAIROBI -- Kenyan President Kibaki on Sunday took time to unwind at the world' s famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve to highlight the Kenya tourism week.

Visitors to the world's famous tourist attraction park had happy time with the president as they exchanged pleasantries and criss-crossed the reserve to savour its splendour.

Kibaki assured the world that Kenya is now safe for tourists to troop in and invited both foreign and local tourists to sample Kenya's diverse species of wildlife and unique scenic sites.

President Kibaki reassured the world that his government has laid down elaborate measures to stamp out insecurity which he termed as a great impediment to the revamping of the tourism sector and other economic programs of the government.

He noted that Kenya had recovered fully from the post election challenges adding that the government was keen on ensuring that all sectors that suffered during the early part of the year were back to optimum operation to create the much needed job opportunities for the Kenyan youth.

The Kenyan leader's tour was viewed as vital boost to the sector which for past few years was the leading foreign exchange earner.

Looking excited and jovial, the president took a walk enjoying the breath-taking scenery as he relished the Mara, named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World for its incredible annual migration of over a million Wildebeest from the Serengeti plains.

The imminent migration is regarded as the planet's greatest natural spectacle. "It is a wonderful world, wonderful indeed and of course it is wonderful for me to be here all long," Kibaki said.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala thanked President Kibaki for setting an example of a domestic tourist and particularly his commitment to the full recovery of the tourism sector and Kenya's economy in general.