The UK, one of Kenya’s key tourism source markets, has downgraded its travel advisory against most parts of the Coast including Mombasa, Kilifi and Watamu.

The move signals a reprieve for players in the hospitality industry in the region that has been the hardest hit by the take-care alerts from a number of European governments following a spate of terrorist attacks in the country.

“This change follows a review of the level of risk to British nationals travelling in this part of Kenya,” Stephen Burns, the head of communications at the British embassy in Nairobi, said in a statement.

The UK government, however, maintained its advice against all but essential travel covering the border with Somalia down to and including Malindi.

Areas within 60 kilometres of the Kenya-Somali border, Garissa County, the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, Lamu County, and Tana River County are also still flagged as dangerous.

The UK government said it has no travel advisories against most safari destinations, including Aberdare National Park, Amboseli, Laikipia, and Lake Nakuru.

25 per cent

The number of visitors to Kenya fell by 25 per cent in the first five months of 2015 according to the tourism board figures.

Tourism is a vital foreign exchange earner for Kenya which boasts beach and safari trips.

Visitor numbers fell to 284,313 from 381,278 in January to May 2014, a drop of 25.4 per cent. That follows a fall of 4.3 per cent a year before.

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The number of visitors from Britain fell by 35 per cent to 36,022 in the period. Tourist arrivals from the United States dropped 22 per cent to 30,083.