Although the Foreign Office continues to warn against all but essential travel to Kenya, leading operators say many travellers are still ready to go there despite the riot scenes on nightly TV news reports.

Thomson has been advertising seven-night all-inclusives in Kenya from mid-January from £558, while at African Safari Club, spokesman Paul Foster confirms 40%-plus discounts on 14-night full-board stays in late-January at four-star hotels in Shanzu, 30 minutes' drive north of Mombasa, from £629.

Foster says: "On flights from Gatwick and Manchester bound for Kenya at the start of this week, only 20 travellers wanted their money back. We await a decision later this week by the Federation of Tour Operators on flights leaving on January 14."

Leading long-haul operator Kuoni is trying to find alternative destinations for all its Kenya-bound travellers - and won't resume services there until the Foreign Office says the country is safe again.

Customers who can't find alternative destinations to their liking get automatic refunds.

However, Kuoni has 111 passengers already in Kenyan resorts who are, it says, "safe and well and kept up to date with events".

At Somak, launching a major new Africa programme this year with Virgin Travel, chief executive Ashe Sofat says: "We make people aware of Foreign Office advice, and urge them to check with insurers that they are fully covered.

"But only about a dozen people have cancelled altogether, while others will visit Kenya later in the year. Some are rebooking, switching their safari to Tanzania or going to South Africa instead.

"We work on the basis of taking two days at a time, but signs point to a political solution soon. There are signs of mediation, and we expect the Foreign Office advice to change fairly soon."

Somak, one of the fastest growing operators in long-haul, chopped £400 off 14-night stays at Kenya's four-star Southern Palms Hotel, bringing the price down to £829.

The operator is also selling 10-night stays in Mauritius for below £1000, five nights in Bangkok from £649, and 10-night Bangkok-Phuket two-centre Thailand stays from £899.

Mr Sofat says: "Prices have to be keen in this market because family budgets are under pressure from rising bills and threat of recession later in the year."

Graeme Thomson, Nairobi-based boss of Africa Travel has accused Government advice to travellers to Kenya as "inflammatory in some ways" - although the US State Dept is also warning US citizens to "consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time".

There are plenty of price cuts in February with Libra Holidays slashing the price of their Egypt El Gouna trip for seven nights' half-board for two to just £711.40 from February 1, including flights, transfers. Call 0871 226 0446.

Fleewinter is offering seven-night stays at a nine-bedroomed boutique hotel in Sri Lanka Bentota from Jan 30 from £780, saving £140 per couple. Call 020 7112 0019.