Kenya is riding on prevailing peace to woo travellers back to the country.
Speaking at the Indaba Fair in Durban, South Africa, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Acting Chief Executive Officer Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi said that the African market has shown resilience to challenges such as insecurity, threats of diseases and other calamities.
“Africa is our next frontier and this is the time for us as a continent to leverage on each other’s strength, synergise on our varied expertise and resilience for the betterment of the sector,” she said.
Nzioka-Mbithi said KTB has trained over 300 tour operators on tourism products so as to enhance destination awareness among potential travellers.
Already, the prospects of the South African market have received a boost with Kenya Airways announcing a three-times-a-week direct flight schedule into Cape Town from Nairobi beginning July this year.
“Our ease of access with a flight of less than five hours to Nairobi by KQ and South Africa Airways, products suited to segments such as, family, couples, and special interest groups are pulling factors for our clientele,” says Nzioka.
She disclosed that Kenya is targeting to increase the flow of tourists from South Africa by 20% at the close of the year.
At the fair, Africa is seemingly rooting for intra-Africa tourism to promote diverse tourism potential and tap on increasing interest for travel among Africans.
Ease of Visa regulations, air access and joint promotions are some of the quick wins that will support the intra-Africa tourism agenda according to the African tourism ministers at the ongoing fair.