Not the Right Time for a Kenya Timeshare Vacation
Friday, January 18, 2008
You don’t often hear me say that you should put your timeshare vacation plans on hold. But if you own timeshare weeks in Kenya, now is probably not the time to plan a Kenya timeshare holiday. Over the past two years, I have written several timeshare blogs about the fact that Africa timeshare is really beginning to come into its own. South Africa in particular is an up and coming market for timeshare resort development, timeshare resales, and condo resales. While Africa, from mysterious Morocco all the way to cosmopolitan Cape Town, has always attracted adventure seekers, I have to think that reality TV shows like Survivor, The Amazing Race, Survivorman and perhaps even Meerkat Manor have inspired people to pick up a camera and a pith helmet and plan a safari vacation.
But before you make your travel plans for an Africa timeshare vacation, keep in mind current political and civil unrest in some parts of the continent. In October, the US Department of State issued a warning about the risks of travel to Kenya, stating, “American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.”
Since that time, the Department of State has updated that warning twice, most recently on January 11, adding, “US citizens should strongly consider the risks of travel to Kenya at this time and defer non-essential travel to the three provinces of Nyanza, Western, and Rift Valley…Although widespread violence, demonstrations, and looting in Nairobi and throughout Kenya have subsided, there is a potential for spontaneous violence in the current political climate…Road travel in western Kenya remains unsafe.”
Likewise, the British Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Kenya. The British Federation of Tour Operators continues the suspension of travel and tours to Kenya that began last month and urges all travel and tour agents to either rebook travelers to other destinations or refund their money. Previously scheduled tour flights from the United Kingdom to Kenya continue, but only for the purpose of providing travelers already there with a way to leave the county.
In tomorrow’s Timeshare Owners Blog, I am going to talk about strategies for timeshare owners if your timeshare resort is located in an area that is experiencing crime or unrest, and the important role Sell My Timeshare NOW can play in assisting you.
Remember that for US citizens, the Consular Information Program provides the most accurate and up to date information about security conditions for travel in all parts of the world. You can visit their website or contact them by calling 888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada or 202-501-4444 from outside the U.S. and Canada as a regular toll call. British citizens should check the website for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk
The US State Department’s Travel Advisory for Kenya will be reevaluated on February 12.
